Cervical cancer screening program
Prevention is our mission
Purpose
The purpose of the cervical cancer screening program is to prevent cervical cancer by early detection of a pre-cancer condition. The protocol of the cervical cancer screening was composed by Dr. Gomes Bravio, Gynecologist Oncologist. The protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Fundashon.
Recalling
The Women aged 25-29 only receive cytology testing.
Women over 30 years receive a high risk HPV (hrHPV) DNA test and cytology testing when hrHPV is detected.
Women aged 25-29 with positive cytology (ASC-US, LSIL) are recalled after 6 months and 12 months.
Women aged 30-65 with a hrHPV positive with a negative cytology (NIN, PAP1) test result are recalled after 12 months as most hrHPV infections are transient and do not require immediate intervention.
Women aged 30-65 with a hrHPV negative test
result are recalled after 5 years.
The follow up based on the test results are described in the Protocol for Cervical Cancer Screening in Curaçao.
Target population
The target population consists of 56.558 woman aged 25-65 years (2018). An invitation letter is sent to the target group, to participate in the cervical cancer screening program. Women who have had a complete hysterectomy, who are currently being treated by a gynecologist, who have not previously had sexual relations and women who are pregnant and up to six-month post-pregnancy are excluded from the screening program. woman who are over 65 years and never had a cytology test nor a cytology test in more than 10 years can also participate in the screening.
Challenges
Unfortunately, we have no contact information other than the target populations' home address as stated by Kranshi.
Cervical Screening in 7 steps
Screening step by step
Step 1. You receive an invitation with a time and date for your screening.
Step 2. In case the time and date does not suit you, you contact Fundashon Prevenshon to reschedule (toll-free via 0800-1811).
Step 3. You are in time for your appointment and announce yourself at the counter. Here, your personal details like your address etc will be checked and you will receive the Consent Form for you to fill in and sign.
Step 4. The nurse will summon you and guide you to the Cervix room.
Step 5.
The nurse will ask for your ID and will, together with you, go through the Consent Form. The nurse will explain how the swab will be done and is ready to answer all your questions.
Step 6. You will be asked to take off your clothes of your lower body and to take place on the examination table. The speculum is being inserted in the vagina and with a small brush, mucosa will be taken from the uterine. This brush will be sent by Fundashon Prevenshon to the lab.
Step 7. You can put your clothes back on; the nurse will inform you to call after 3 weeks your General Practitioner for the results. Another option is to call the lab after 3 weeks for the results.
Women 25-65
An invitation letter is sent to the target group, with the time and date and location of the appointment.
Importance
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively.
Locations
- Aesculapius Medical Center
- Centro Mediko Medenfys Tera Kora
- Fundashon Prevenshon, Molenplein
- Sambil Shopping Mall
- Sorsaka Medical Center