Cervical Cancer Screening in a Low–Resource Setting: Buea-Cameroon
Published: 2020-07-28
Page: 138-146
Issue: 2020 - Volume 3 [Issue 2]
A. Tassang *
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon. and Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon. and Atlantic Medical Foundation Hospital, Mutengene, Cameroon.
G. E. Halle- Ekane
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
D. Nembulefack
Centre Medicalise d’ Arrondissement, Ndoh-Djuttissa, Cameroon.
G. Enow- Orock
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon. and Regional Hospital, Bafoussam, Cameroon.
F. Nchang Cho
Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
T. Ewane
Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon.
T. Tassang
Kumbo Sub-divisional Hospital, Kumbo, Cameroon.
C. Ewang Ebong
Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon.
A. E. Enow- Orock
Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon.
L. Folefac
Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon.
W. Ndakason
Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon.
G. Ncham
Buea Regional Hospital, Annex, Cameroon. and Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon
P. Ngum Fru
Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer screening is not widely performed in developing countries like Cameroon. We conducted “one-day-screening” in Buea. Methods: The study was performed at the Buea Regional Hospital, Annex on the 2nd of November, 2019. A MobileODT colposcopic device was used to enhance visualization of the cervix and, if necessary, treatment as thermal coagulation or Loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP) was done at the same time. Before the screening, questionnaires were administered to participants.
Results: of 140 women who agreed to participate, 124 (89%) completed the screening procedure: the mean age; 36.53 (±12.17) and reported negative HIV; 98%. Of the 124, 8 (6.5%) were screened positive, i.e., Low squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) 7 (5.6%) and High squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) 1 (0.8%).Out of the 8, 2 met treatment criteria. However, only one accepted treatment. The HSIL was excised and histopathology confirmed a CIN2 lesion. Although 111 (89.5%) participants believed that cervical cancer is preventable, only 37 (29.8%) had been previously screened and just one had previously been vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Conclusion: One-day cervical cancer screening may provide an opportunity to treat and educate women on the importance of cervical cancer screening. The “see and treat” effectiveness should be confirmed by larger studies.
Keywords: Cervical cancer, single-day screening and treatment, visual inspection with acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine, thermal coagulation, thermocoagulation, LEEP, Buea.