Adaptive MammaCare

The Mammatech Corporation received a multi-year research award from the National Cancer Institute to adapt the MammaCare Personal Learning System for women who are blind or visually impaired and women who are deaf or hard of hearing. There are approximately 10 million women in the United States with these disabilities.

    In 1997, a preliminary NCI-sponsored study demonstrated that blind or visually impaired and deaf or hard of hearing women could learn to conduct a proficient, skill-based breast self examination (BSE) using tactually accurate breast models with audio or video instructions especially adapted for them by the researchers. The initial study was conducted on a one-to-one basis in a clinical setting.  The multi-year study sought to determine if similar results can be obtained by women in the privacy of their own homes.

The Adaptive MammaCare Research Team

Left to right: Mary Mehn, Ph.D., Co-Investigator; Suny Thomas, Research Assistant; M.J. Schaer, Computer Information Specialist; Kathy Kanuck, Research Assistant; Shawn Thomas, Research Assistant; and Mark Kane Goldstein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator.
Not pictured:  H.S. Pennypacker, Ph.D., Investigator   

The study solicited participants nationwide. In March 2000, 399 blind or visually impaired women were enrolled from 44 states. After an initial  interview by telephone, each participant received the Adaptive MammaCare Personal Learning System in the mail, performed the training exercises, and then completed an extensive follow-up interview to document her subsequent performance. Data from these participants showed that the Adaptive System enabled women in this population to achieve proficiency equal to that of sighted women who use the nonadapted MammaCare Personal Learning System. A one-year follow-up provided additional outcome data.

The study also enrolled deaf and hard of hearing participants. They were able to use a special internet site developed to allow deaf and hard of hearing women to interact with project staff and report data from the privacy of their homes.  Results from this study were similar to those from blind or visually impaired women.