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Caribbean Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control ProjectCervical Cancer causes significant illness and death in the Caribbean. The estimated age-standardized incidence of cervical cancer in the Caribbean in 2000 was 35.8/100,000, which was among the top four sub-regions in the world. Mortality statistics reported to the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) indicates that cervical cancer is the second cause of cancer deaths among Caribbean women. The Caribbean region has collectively agreed to target cervical cancer and has set a goal of reducing mortality from invasive disease by at least 20%, over the period 1990-2005 (Caribbean Cooperation in Health (CCH) II. As part of the strategy to achieve this target, the Caribbean Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Project is being implemented at CAREC in collaboration with PAHO/WHO Office of Caribbean Program Coordination and PAHO/WHO Headquarters, Washington. The two and a half year project is receiving seed funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through funds granted to PAHO/WHO and four other organizations within the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention. The project is being implemented with direct input from a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprising representatives from Ministries of Health, professional organizations, University of the West Indies, non-governmental organisations and international agencies. Priorities were identified during the first meeting of the TAG held in December 2002. These include conducting needs assessments in countries and developing strategic plans, developing evidence based guidelines for screening and management of cervical cancer and for cytology, developing a communications strategy, developing an information system, establishing training requirements for cytology staff, developing quality assurance mechanisms for cytology and developing regional initiatives to support cervical cancer prevention and control in the Caribbean. (TAG report) - Appendix 2 , Appendix 3 , Appendix 4 , Appendix 5. The need to mobilise resources and ensure sustainability was also deemed critical for project success.The commitment of governments of CAREC member countries to improve cervical cancer prevention and control is imperative for successful achievement of project objectives. As a means of securing such commitment, presentations on the burden of cervical cancer in the Caribbean as well as the options for prevention and control are being made to Chief Medical Officers and Ministers responsible for Health for the region. LinksCaribbean Framework for Developing National Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Needs Assessment of Cervical Cancer Services Situational Analysis of Cytology Services |
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Caribbean
Epidemiology Centre
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