MFP
Program Empowers Haitian Doctors and Nurses to Detect and Treat
Cervical Cancer
Haiti has the highest incidence of cervical cancer in the world. While screening
for cervical cancer has been a successful public health intervention in developed
countries, Pap testing, or screening for the human papilloma virus (HPV), are not
feasible for countries like Haiti with limited resources. Early detection of cervical
cancer is of critical importance in Haiti, since facilities for the treatment of
advanced cervical cancer are non-existent for most Haitians. Haitian women
suffering from cervical cancer are relegated to an inevitably cruel and painful
death.
MFP has undertaken an ambitious cervical cancer prevention program in the
Gros Morne region using methods shown to be cost effective in other low
resource settings. A pelvic exam is performed and the cervix visualized
(colposcopy) after application of acetic acid which enables the detection of
cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions with a high degree of sensitivity. The
precancerous lesion can be removed at that visit by applying an ultra-cold probe
to the lesion (cryosurgery). MFP has initiated a training program for Haitian
physicians and nurses at the Alma Mater Hospital in Gros Morne to
become skilled in the single visit “screen-and-treat” method. “Mobile screening
units” will be used to extend these services to the nine health clinics in the
mountain villages in the rural areas of Gros Morne.
The MFP cancer prevention initiative has a number of other health benefits for
the community. Many women will be drawn into the health system, enabling them
to deal with family health issues, including child health maintenance. Sexually
transmitted infections (STI) will be detected and treated, thus lowering the known
frequency of HIV-transmission in patients with STI’s. Most important, the
counseling and education aspect of this program will promote health conscious
and independent behavior for women, and in doing so empower women in the
community.
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