Disease Prevention and Control / Noncommunicable Diseases / Cancer
A Situational Analysis of Cervical Cancer in Latin America & the CaribbeanMerle J. Lewis, Dr. PH, PAHO Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Unit, 2004 | |||
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Full Text (21 pp, PDF, 1130 KB; contents below) |
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Preface by Sylvia C. Robles, MD, MPH,
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“Cervical cancer is fully preventable and curable, at low cost and at low risk, when screening to facilitate the timely detection of early precursor lesions in asymptomatic women is available together with appropriate diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.” |
Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem among women of the developing world, especially those in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although this disease is largely preventable, our collective efforts to implement prevention programs have not successfully reduced the burden of cervical cancer in the Region of the Americas.
Given this circumstance, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently has focused additional efforts on this disease and through its Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases Unit is working with Member States to strengthen their cervical cancer prevention and control programs, taking into account the challenges and opportunities that exist at the regional, sub-regional and national levels.
This 2003 analysis of cervical cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean provides information for public-health professionals, policy-makers and advocates involved in the development and management of cervical cancer prevention and control programs. It represents a synthesis of data and information derived from many sources, which include:
- Current published scientific literature in peer review journals;
- Proceedings of PAHO-sponsored workshops conducted in four subregions of Latin America and the Caribbean;
- Documents such as national program plans and cancer registry reports from specific countries obtained through their respective Ministries of Health or the PAHO/World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representatives or Technical Centers; and
- Publications and data from programs based at the PAHO Headquarters (Health Situation and Trend Analysis, Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases Program and Family Health).
It is imperative to make every effort to enhance the health of the women of our world, so they are better able to participate in the development as well as the political, social and economic fabric of their countries. A reduction in cervical cancer morbidity and mortality will represent a giant step toward achievement of these goals.