"Prevention and Detection of Breast and Cervical Cancer Program"

Taking of Sample for PAP Exam of you mamas Presentation of posterin the international conference on the control off cancer and tobacco, Washington 2006 Patients, they came from rural area, they received treatment from
Premalignant Lesions Patients, they came from rural area, they received treatment from
Premalignant Lesions Patients, they came from rural area, they received treatment from
Premalignant Lesions Patients, they came from rural area, they received treatment from
Premalignant Lesions Patients, they came from rural area, they received treatment from
Premalignant Lesions Patient Recipient of Ginecobono Program, receiving medical care. Patient & Promote Ginecobono Program. Patient Recipient of Ginecobono Program in National Center for Radiation Therapy (CNR). Workshop with Ministry of Health Personnel(MINSA).

 

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease that affects an estimated 490,000 women each year, causing over 270,000 deaths worldwide. According to statistics, Central America has one the highest rates worldwide deaths from cervical cancer. Nicaragua in particular has the highest rate in Central America and the second level in Latin America, surpassed only by Haiti.

In Nicaragua, the death rate for cervical cancer ranks first in women between 30 to 60 years, displacing the maternal mortality. The number of deaths in 2006 was 225 women.

In 2000 ICAS established the "Comprehensive Program for Prevention and Detection of Cervical Cancer and from 2005 has added the component of prevention of breast cancer.

The ICAS program provides an effective strategy in the fight against cancer at low cost, this is done through the distribution of bonds known as GINECOBONOS for use in improving coverage of screening for women in areas identified by the Ministry of Health (MINSA).

The program covers 3 major problems of great importance in Nicaragua:

  1. Low access to the performance of Pap (test used to detect cervical cancer), particularly in populations most at risk (women between 30 to 65 years).
  2. Low quality of the Pap smear, as well as procedures, resulting in a high number of false positives and false negatives.
  3. Inadequate or non-existent system of reference and record.

The program is to detect early lesions of the cervix pre-cancer, mainly in poor rural women, helping to save a significant number of lives.

Its objectives are:

  1. Provide access to free cancer screening to poor women in high risk of developing cancer.
  2. Ensure monitoring and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions found.
  3. Introduce the breast exploration practices to the medical personnel and to the patient the breast self examination.
  4. Strengthen the multi-sectors and interagency collaboration among members of local NGOs, Ministry of Health, community organizations, and international agencies.

Bonds are delivered to women in the most vulnerable sectors where they live or interact, giving women the opportunity to take care of their health. It has been shown that the strategy of the bond is very cost effective.

The program has received funding from the British Embassy and DFID (bonds and Siuna Mulukuku), USAID (Profamilia bonds in almost all departments of the country), Netherlands Embassy (SILAIS Managua); Gurdián Ortiz Foundation (SILAIS Jinotega, Matagalpa, Boaco, Carazo, Masaya, Granada, Rivas, Chinandega and León) and Life Building Project (Managua SILAIS).

Since 2005 the Ginecobono program has been funded by the Foundation Gurdián Ortiz (FOG) in an effort to promote prevention of cervical cancer and breast cancer. During these three years FOG has donated to the Ministry of Health 24000 Ginecobonos to be delivered free of charge to women with limited economic resources in remote areas of the country where women have less opportunities to receive gynecological care.

During this period were annexed prevention component of breast cancer through exploration and promotion of breast self examination of women at his home. Patients with impaired mammary andalusia are referred to Hospital Bertha Calderon Clinic Foundation.

PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE 8 YEARS (2000-2008)

  1. We have screened 38 564 women in Nicaragua from various parts of the country, as Siuna, Mulukukú, Ocotal, Jalapa, Somoto, Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Juigalpa, Rivas, Granada, Masaya, Chinandega, Leon, Boaco, Carazo, leon and Managua (Ticuantepe, Tipitapa).
  2. 556 cases have been detected by LAG.
  3. 500 women have received treatment for precancerous lesions, it is estimated that the program saves 90% of these women.
  4. Awareness of women difficulties to engage in a screening.
  5. Strengthening awareness and human resources of MOH and private sector.
  6. Development of educational materials "Handbook for Health Promoters" and "Manual for pap testing: Theory and practice simple method for diagnosing cancer of the cervix.

Hand in hand with the bond program ICAS has developed and implemented a system of external quality control for cervical cytology. This system has allowed Nicaraguan professionals to be certified in reading and diagnosis of cervical lesions.

The program has received wide international recognition. The experience in Nicaragua has been an example to many other countries and its effectiveness has been recognized in various publications of USAID, the World Bank among others. A list of publications is available at this link.Publications Vouchers 2008.doc

Today it continues to seek funds for this program and one of the challenges is to promote access to reliable, easy, information to the patient, family and community about health care before, during and after cancer treatment. Read the program overview

For further program information or wishes to support our cause, contact Dr. Patricia Gonzalez Morales Program Coordinator "Prevention and Detection of Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer"

Medical Director: Dr. Peter Sandiford

PUBLICATIONS

Some recent English language publications are shown below. For Spanish publications, see the Spanish version of this page.