overview of cervical cancer

Across the Americas, lack of access to adequate screening and treatment

services means that one of the most easily preventable, detectable and

treatable forms of cancer has become a significant cause of mortality

among women, especially poor women.

Although the mortality rate for cervical cancer in North America has

declined over the last 10 years, it remains constant in the developing

countries of the Americas (1). This reflects the need for a new approach

to cervical cancer, one that emphasizes prevention and the positive

aspects of screening and early detection.

Gender is all too often a factor in a woman’s decision not to be screened

for cervical cancer. A gender-focused analysis of the situation is

necessary to fully understand the incidence of cervical cancer in the

Americas