Cervical cancer in Ecuador, situation analysis, 2006

Abstract:

It has been said that the incidence and mortality due to cervical cancer have been slightly modified by the cervical cytology screening programs in «middle income» countries and it is suggested that to get better results those programs should reach over 80% coverage, with at least one test, on women older than 40 years of age. In the present paper, the published figures on cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Ecuador and covered population are analyzed and compared with figures of other Latin American countries. The causes of disease in the general population (not those related to each single case) are mainly related to the economic structure of society. It is necessary to know whether public health programs are efficient or not, in order not to make it harder for poor women to face a diagnosis of cervical cancer. The figures show that the incidence of cervical cancer has diminished in Ecuador, while the mortality keeps its trend stable. On the other hand, the population covered has increased, especially for the Ministry of Public Health users, instead of the Ecuatorian levels of coverage are the lowest in the America's region. The suggestion that technical adjustments in the public health programs are enough to reduce mortality is discussed, even if the social changes needed to improve the general life conditions of the population are delayed. © 2008 Sociedad Española de Anatomía Patológica y Sociedad Española de Citología.

Año de publicación:

2008

Keywords:

• Disparities
• epidemiology
• PAP TEST
• Cervical Cancer

Fuente:

scopus