During the next three, cervical cancer morbidity and mortality could decline by 20% and, respectively, 5% owing to the development of prevention and information services. A project to this effect was launched on November 1, IPN reports.
Three histological labs will be outfitted with modern equipment. There will also be introduced a screening module for training medical staff and staged a broad informational campaign centering on the prevention of cervical cancer. According to the director of the Mother and Child Institute Sergiu Gladun, the project will provide assistance in preventing cervical cancer and the incidence, late detection and mortality because of this type of cancer are expected to decrease.
A unit for coordinating the cervical cancer screening and a colposcopy reference center will be created at the Mother and Child Institute.
The Babes-Papanicolau test will be performed in all the primary medicine centers of the country. If suspect cases are identified, the women will be recommended to have a colposcopy examination. Later, if need be, the women will be referred to the Mother and Child Institute for having the diagnosis confirmed and for being prescribed and administered treatment for pre-cancerous states.
According to Minister of Health, Labor and Social Protection Stela Grigoras, cervical cancer can be easily prevented by such simple methods as screening that is recommended once in three years. The costs are covered by the National Health Insurance Company. About 200,000 women are examined annually and over 8.6 million lei is allocated for the purpose.
Rita Columbia, Representative to Moldova of UNFPA, which supports the project, said cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer and globally affects over half a million women annually, leading to the death of 250,000 women. “There are proofs that cervical cancer incidence can be reduced by 80%. If the program is combined with vaccination against the papilloma virus, the risk decreases by down to 90%, Finland being a relevant example. In Moldova, important steps have been taken to consolidate cervical cancer. If we do everything right, with the involvement of all the sides, we will reach the level of Finland in three years,” stated Rita Columbia.
About 1,500 women, mainly of a reproductive age, were diagnosed with cervical cancer in Moldova during the past five years. About 1,000 of these lost the struggle against the disease.
