Approaches to Prevention of Cervical Cancer amongst Indigenous Peruvian Women

Julie Aldrich

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Program Concentration

Family Nurse Practitioner

Abstract

"Cervical cancer is a leading cause of death in low resource and developing countries, most often affecting women of reproductive age when they are critical to social and economic stability (Gaffikin & Goldie, 2005). Worldwide, the incidence of cervical cancer is 16.2 per 100,000 women; Peru triples this rate at 48.2 per 100,000 (World Health Organization, 2010).One in every 4,000 Peruvian women dies from the disease each year, killing more than AIDS, complications of child-birth or any other form of cancer (WHO, 2004). The prevalence of cervical cancer in Peru is among the highest in the world and ranks as the leading cause of death among Peruvian women (Pan American Health Organization, 2008). Of the 9.5 million women in Peru age 15 and older, less than two million, or 21 percent report having a preventative care examination including Papanicolau testing in the past year (WHO, 2010). This may be due to a multitude of reasons, most significantly lack of access to care and lack of education surrounding the importance of screening for human papilloma virus (HPV) (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health, 2010). The purpose of this state of the science literature review is to determine effective tools for prevention of cervical cancer, barriers to care, and strategies for implementation of screening and treatment programs specific to low resource settings such as Peru. The devastating impact of cervical cancer among Peruvian women makes it apparent that this vulnerable population will benefit greatly from preventative education with regard to screening and safe sex practices. Because Peru is comparable to many other low income countries in Latin America in terms of infrastructure and health profile (World Health Organization, 2004), exploration of culturally competent techniques and prevention strategies in this population may be applicable to other countries in the region with similar cultural, economic, and health contexts. This literature review will examine relevant information for advanced practice nurses to know about cervical cancer, with a focus on formation pertinent to high-risk, low-socioeconomic status populations. This will be followed by a review of the state of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening programs in Peru, and conclude with examples of application to nursing practice and useful tools for implementation of cervical cancer prevention programs."

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS