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 With quality screening
and treatment, cervical cancer is preventable. Yet, it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Guatemala. Risk factors include: limited or irregular screening, many children, early initiation of sexual relationships, poor nutrition and unfaithful partners..
Cervical Cancer Screening Program
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Provides information, screening and treatment to impoverished Guatemalan women;
- Attracts more women and children to our Mobile Medical Missions.
The method
Utilizing the Visual Inspection by Acetic Acid (VIA) method, a women’s cervix is visually inspected with an acetic (vinegar) wash. If white lesions are present, cell-freezing cryotherapy treatment is administered immediately and within weeks, healthy cells replace those that have been affected by the human papilloma virus, and no further treatment is needed.
Especially in remote areas like rural Guatemala, the VIA/Cryotherapy is a good alternative to the Pap smear test as it cuts the lengthy process of the Pap smear test down to one visit, with the exam and treatment being available at the same time (“see and treat”).
Sustainability
To increase the sustainability of this program, we collaborate with the Guatemalan Ministry of Health to train their nurses in the VIA/Cryotherapy method.
Results
Within a short period of time, the Cervical Cancer Screening Program has proven to be very successful. We now perform the VIA method during our Mobile Medical Missions and approximately 5,000 women have received cervical cancer screenings.
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