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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..
In 2008, we started our Cervical Cancer Screening Program:
- to provide information, screening and treatment to impoverished Guatemalan women;
- to attract more women and children to our Medical Triage 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 started collaboration with the Guatemalan Ministry of Health:
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In February 2008, 2 nurses and 1 doctor from Alta Verapaz received a training provided by our partner Faith in Practice.
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In October 2008 and January 2009, 10 more Ministry of Health nurses from El Quiche, Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz will be trained in the VIA/Cryotherapy method to extent the program to all areas where we have a strong presence.
Results
Within a short period of time, the Cervical Cancer Screening Program has proved to be very successful. We performed the VIA method successfully during our 2 Medical Triage Missions in May and September 2008 and are now committed to include the VIA-Cryotherapy method within our standard triage missions.
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