1. Cervical cancer screening and treatment in Uganda
- Author
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Carolyn Nakisige, Melissa Schwartz, and Anthony Okoth Ndira
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Population ,Developing country ,lcsh:Gynecology and obstetrics ,lcsh:RC254-282 ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection ,medicine ,Milestone (project management) ,Uganda ,030212 general & internal medicine ,education ,lcsh:RG1-991 ,Gynecology ,Cervical cancer ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,HPV infection ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Cancer ,medicine.disease ,lcsh:Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens ,Radiation therapy ,Treatment ,Oncology ,Virtual Special Section on Gynecologic Cancers in Resource-constrained Countries ,Edited by Linus Chuang ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Family medicine ,Screening ,business - Abstract
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Uganda. Given the high prevalence of genital human papillomavirus infection, the current unavailability of radiotherapy, and the absence of a national cervical cancer prevention and control program, these deaths will likely increase. Efforts to organize an effective cervical cancer screening and treatment program will require adequate financial resources, the development of infrastructure, training needed manpower, and surveillance mechanisms of the targeted women. Screening with VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) and HPV DNA testing on self-collected samples with processing at a specific site could, for the first time, make national, large-scale population-based screening feasible in Uganda. Combining screening efforts with timely treatment of all screen positives for HPV infection can prevent progression to invasive cervical cancer. To date, this is the most effective intervention in closing the current prevention gap. Training of health professionals, ongoing construction of new radiotherapy bunkers, and opening of regional centers are all geared towards improving cervical cancer care in Uganda. The Uganda Cancer Institute Bill establishes the Institute as a semi-autonomous agency mandated to undertake and coordinate the prevention and treatment of cancer. Its implementation will be a milestone in cervical cancer prevention and control. However, execution will require political will and an increase in domestic and international investment., Highlights • Screening in low resource settings for cervical cancer is priority. • In the absence of radiotherapy neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be used to down size tumour to operable size. • There's lack of personnel with specialized skills.
- Published
- 2017
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