UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: Pap smear is an effective and efficient method in Cervical Cancer Control; although several reports conclude that the organization behind program makes the difference in goods and bad results. In Peru, a developing country, one third of population has health insurance (Social Insurance and Private Sector) and almost 70% of women in age risk (30-49 years old) must to pay for a Pap smear, mean of five US dollars.

Methods: Recently, National Cancer Institute in Lima, Peru (INEN) decided to create a Community Pap smears Lecture Service, free for low income women. The costs are shared: the samples take, fix and transportation are assumed by Regional Health Offices; the reading, input data and delivery results costs are charged to INEN.

Results: Over 12,000 pap exams in nine months (2004) and 10,000 pap exams in the first five months in 2005, proceeding of low income strata population. By 2004 we found a global positive index in 3.3% and only 0.3% of all women screened required some treatment modality.

First year results were: Negative 11,121; ASCUS 13; SIL-L 338; SIL-H 32; Invasive carcinoma 1; Carcinoma In Situ 3; Inflamatory changes 637; Inadecuate samples 134; AGUS 19; TOTAL 12,288 samples

This experience search to improve all process management involves in Pap smears analysis, include the results delivery; and fund a Cyto Technicians School.

Currently the nexus has improved with two of five Lima Metropolitan areas: north and south; with territories outside Lima as Ayacucho, Cusco and Huanuco, all andean provinces.