Cervical Cancer Prevention

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among Honduran women.  Worldwide over 80% of deaths from this disease occur in developing nations.  With effective screening and early treatment of precancerous cervical conditions called dysplasias, most incidences of cancer can be prevented.
Shoulder to Shoulder (STS) has provided key support for the development of women’s health care services in its rural Honduran communities.  Since 2003, when there was a single clinic in Santa Lucia, STS has been working to screen its population.  Prior to that time, most of the community women had never had any cervical screening. Women would have to travel more than 5 hours to receive any care for an abnormal test. In 2006 the donation of a colposcope and cryocautery equipment made diagnosis and treatment of dysplasias within the community a reality. Concurrent improvements in technology, communications, and infrastructure made Pap screening more feasible. Gradually, with the support of the community and clinic staff, the cervical screening program was expanded to cover more communities and more women are able to receive diagnosis and treatment of precancerous cervical conditions close to their home.  

GYN Exam room Santa Rita	Temporary GYN Field exam and treatment room

In 2010, STS recruited long-term volunteers to help implement, administer and integrate the cervical screening program into the local clinic system that now includes eleven clinics.
Though significant progress has been made over the past 2 years, many challenges lie ahead. There remain significant social, economic, demographic, and cultural barriers. The Honduran based infrastructure is in place, but its sustainability will continue to require financial, educational, administrative, and technical support.

For anyone interested in contributing to the Shoulder to Shoulder cervical screening program, any monetary contribution would be greatly appreciated. Specifically supplies, biopsy instruments and sterilization equipment needed. Applications from any persons interested long term volunteer work would be welcomed.  Specifically we are looking for physicians, nurses, and women’s health care providers. Applications from providers with colposcopy training are particularly welcome as we hope to continue our efforts to train and work “shoulder to shoulder” with Honduran health care personnel.

For more information on our Cervical Cancer prevention, click here

To View Dr. Edith Harte's Slides, click here

For excellent training videos of Colposcopy and treatment of cervical lesions, click here