Comprehensive program to prevent cervical and breast cancer

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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 Patients, they came from rural area, they received treatment from
Premalignant Lesions

 


The cervical cancer prevention program was introduced by ICAS in October 1999

According to WHO statistics, Central America has one the highest rates of death from cervical cancer in the world. Nicaragua has the highest rate in Central America and the second highest in Latin America, surpassed only by Haiti. Cervical cancer is the principal cause of death in women aged 30 to 60 years, exceeding maternal mortality. About 300 women die from cervical cancer in Nicaragua each year.

"ICAS together with the Foundation Ortiz Gurdian, Association María Auxiliadora, CONANCA and ASMUCAN promotes the Prevention of the Cancer in Nicaragua"

"EACH EVERY DAY IS A NEW HOPE"

See details

 

This ICAS program provides efficient cervical cancer screening at low cost through the distribution of vouchers known as “Ginecobonos”. The program detects pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix in poor women at high risk.

The program targets three important problems in Nicaragua:

  1. Low coverage of the Papanicolaou (test used to detect cervical cancer), especially in those most at risk (women aged 30 to 65);
  2. Poor quality of Papanicolaou test samples and procedures, resulting in a high rate of both false positive and false negative test results;
  3. Inadequate or non-existent referral procedures and counter referrals.

As well as the voucher scheme, ICAS has implemented a cervical cytology External Quality Assurance (EQA) scheme. This certifies the competence of Nicaraguan professionals in diagnosing cervical lesions.

Results during the first 5 years (2000-2005)

Almost 20,000 women from all over Nicaragua have been screened, in places as diverse as Siuna, Mulukukú, Ocotal, Jalapa, Somoto, Estelí, Matagalpa, Jinotega, Juigalpa, Rivas, Granada, Masaya, Ticuantepe, Río Blanco, Chinandega and Managua (Tipitapa). Three hundred and twenty three women have received treatment for pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix.

At the end of 2005 ICAS added a breast cancer prevention component to the program. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the combined program is running in six departments of the country: Matagalpa, Jinotega, Chinandega, León, Granada and Masaya. It is financed by the Foundation Ortíz Gurdián.

Donor Agencies::
DFID-UK
US-AID
Dutch Embassy
Fundación Ortíz Gurdián

Medical Director: Dr. Peter Sandiford
Program coordinator: Dra. Patricia Gonzalez Morales

 
Publications
 

The program distributes vouchers directly to vulnerable women at sites where they work or congregate. A voucher entitles the recipient to health services at a clinic of their choice. The strategy has been proven to be highly cost-effective.

The program has received wide international recognition. The Nicaraguan experience has set an example for many other countries, and has been praised in publications from UNAIDS, WHO, The World Bank and others. A list of publications is available at this link. Publications Vouchers 2008.doc

For more information contact Dra. Patricia Gonzalez Morales coordinator of the program to prevent cervical and breast cancer.
  Some recent English language publications are shown below. For Spanish publications, see the Spanish version of this page.