Resumen

URREGO OCAMPO, Martha Inés; BOTERO DE MEJIA, Beatriz Eugenia  y  ALZATE ZULUAGA, Consuelo. A GLIMPSE AT THE CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAM IN CALDAS (COLOMBIA), 2005-2006. Hacia promoc. Salud [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.1, pp.210-223. ISSN 0121-7577.

A structured and systematized early detection program for cervical cancer should ensure education, prevention, early diagnosis, and adequate treatment. Cervical cancer is a social and economic problem that impacts the woman, as well as her family and community. This study was conducted during 2005 and 2006 by means of an alliance with the Universidad de Caldas, Department and Territorial Health Office of Caldas. The study had a descriptive, evaluative and retrospective design. Four strategically located municipalities of Caldas were selected for education and follow-up. The staff of each hospital filled out a database that guided the process, which was designed by the researchers. Women between the ages of 26 and 45 were the most common cases. The hours the staff dedicated to the program were high, in comparison to the number of cervical smears performed. There were problems regarding the colposcopy records, lost cervical smear records, all of which affect the program´s patients. The reports on invasive cancer were obtained only by means of cervical smears; no biopsies were reported, despite this being the best test for confirming the diagnosis. The patients’ follow-ups were not continuous. A lack of specificity in nursing functions was also seen, since cervical smears are usually performed by nursing assistants, when the norm states that a trained physician or chief nurse should perform the procedure. A weakness in education to the community was seen.

Palabras clave : Cervical cancer; cancer cervical prevention program; cervical smear; biopsy; colposcopy.

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