title: Cervical cancer in developing countries: effective screening and preventive strategies with an application in Rwanda.
abstract: In this article we explore literature regarding cervical cancer screening methods available in developing countries. Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease, but it continues to threaten the lives of many women. Eighty-five percent of cases and the majority of deaths occur in developing countries. Cytology via Papinicolaou (Pap) smear is not generally a suitable method of screening in low-resource regions. Alternative methods include visual inspection by acetic acid (VIA), human papillomavirus-deoxyribonucleic acid (HPV-DNA), and careHPV-DNA. Education is needed for health care providers and women about preventive immunization and screening. A Rwandan project is described to demonstrate effective program planning and implementation.
authors.affiliation: a College of Nursing , Washington State University , Spokane , Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Immaculee
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mukakalisa
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bindler
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Joann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dotson
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D016730:Program Development; D012432:Rwanda; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data