By Dr. Mirta Roses, Director
Pan American Health Organization
A FEW days ago I had the honor of addressing the International Congress of the International Union against Cancer (UICC) in Washington, D.C., reviewing efforts to fight cervical cancer with world renowned experts.
Eighty per cent of cervical cancer deaths occur in the developing countries, where 600 women a day die from this cause. The incidence in Latin America and the Caribbean is double that of the developed countries and the mortality rate triple.
Cervical cancer is preventable, however, if precancerous conditions are detected early on. Unfortunately, this is not happening in our region. In most cases, when cancer is detected it is already in the very advanced stages.
The best solution, therefore, is to increase early detection and prevent cervical cancer from developing. It is especially critical to improve poor women's access to detection services to control this disease and save thousands of lives each year.
... improve the public health systems' response to this challenge
is one of the efforts that PAHO have been working on with the countries of the region ...
In the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) we promote mechanisms to improve the public health systems' response to this challenge, through support and collaboration with each country and at the subregional and hemispheric level.
We are part of the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP), which includes EngenderHealth, a nongovernmental organization; the International Agency for Research on Cancer; JHPIEGO, a non-profit organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). The Alliance works to improve cervical cancer detection, prevention, and treatment services, the information provided to women, and training for health workers in this area.
We are conducting pilot programmes in El Salvador, Peru, and Suriname -- research that will enable us to improve cervical cancer detection and treatment practices throughout the hemisphere.
We are also providing support for sub-regional efforts in the Caribbean, South America, the Andean Area, and the Southern Cone and conducting joint assessments with the ministries of health of 10 countries to improve detection and treatment programmes.
... a call for an international plan for a programme to immunize against human papillomavirus
is an important subject included in the final declaration of the World Congress (UICC) ...
The final declaration of the International Congress that I mentioned included a call for an international plan for a programme to immunize against human papillomavirus, an important causative agent of cervical cancer. Aware that the vaccine is not a panacea and that other prevention and early detection programmes must remain in place, we believe it is an important option in the fight against cervical cancer.
We are also studying the economic impact and financial feasibility of procuring the new vaccine. The countries are already considering how to add it to their existing immunization programmes, taking advantage of opportunities during women's contacts with the health services.
We must persevere in our efforts to improve national and regional programmes for the prevention and control of cervical cancer.
The lives of thousands of women and the welfare of their families are at stake.
Other Information:
Building Strategic Alliances and Partnerships for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control in Latin America and the Caribbean: A PAHO Perspective. UICC World Congress. Dr. Roses Talking Notes. Washington DC, July 11, 2006.
