From gynaecology offices to screening campaigns: a brief history of cervical cancer prevention in Brazil

Abstract

This paper discusses the knowledge and medical practices relating to cervical cancer in Brazil. It analyses the growing medical interest in the disease at the beginning of the twentieth century, the development of prevention techniques in the 1940s, and the emergence of screening programs in the 1960s. It argues that the development of knowledge on cervical cancer was related simultaneously to a number of factors: transformations in medical knowledge, the development of the idea that the disease should be treated as a public health problem, the increased concerns with women's health, and major changes to the Brazilian healthcare system. The article concludes by identifying a number of issues that are still proving to be obstacles to control of the disease.

O câncer de colo do útero no Brasil: uma retrospectiva sobre as políticas públicas voltadas à saúde da mulher

“…Variações regionais também são observadas na evolução da mortalidade. Esses dados evidenciam as dificuldades suplementares para o controle da doença no país (Teixeira, 2015).…”

Cervical Cancer Screening: Awareness and Knowledge in Brazil

“…Since this program began, cervical cancer screening in the public health system ensured that diagnosis and treatment were free of charge (Zeferino, The National Cancer Institute of Brazil (INCA) introduced a cervical cancer-screening project, Viva Mulher (Long Live Women) that assisted in controlling cervical cancer disease. It was established in 1997 at six localities: Belém (Pará), Curitiba (Paraná), Brasília (in the regions of Tabatinga, Ceilândia and Samambaia, as well as the Federal District), Recife (Pernambuco), the west zone of Rio de Janeiro City (Rio de Janeiro), and the state of Sergipe (Teixeira, 2015). The campaign's goals were to lower incidence and mortality rates by expanding access to cytological tests and to give the appropriate treatment to precursor lesions in 100% of all cases.…”

“…The campaign's goals were to lower incidence and mortality rates by expanding access to cytological tests and to give the appropriate treatment to precursor lesions in 100% of all cases. Additionally, their target was to "collect samples for cytological examinations from 70% of women ages 35-49 years who had never taken the exam; guarantee that all exam results will be given back within one month or less; monitor all women with a positive cytology result until completion of treatment" (Teixeira 2015). The campaign consisted of two phases: the 1st in 1998, the 2nd in 2002.…”

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“…It was established in 1997 at six localities: Belém (Pará), Curitiba (Paraná), Brasília (in the regions of Tabatinga, Ceilândia and Samambaia, as well as the Federal District), Recife (Pernambuco), the west zone of Rio de Janeiro City (Rio de Janeiro), and the state of Sergipe (Teixeira, 2015). The campaign's goals were to lower incidence and mortality rates by expanding access to cytological tests and to give the appropriate treatment to precursor lesions in 100% of all cases.…”

“…There has been no new campaign for the Viva Mulher since 2002, the program is currently focusing their priorities in supporting and improving the network of oncology care by providing technical assistance to Brazil's Health Departments and reviewing the indicators used for its initiatives (Teixeira 2015).…”