[Applying a cervical cancer control model in Soacha, Colombia]

Low-income countries, like Colombia, have recorded a low impact on mortality rates due to cervical cancer. This can be partially explained by the cancer control models and their approaches implemented so far. This study adopted a cancer control model designed by the National Cancer Institute (Instituto Nacional de Cancerología) based on interventions at three different levels and on using social strategies founded on a human rights' perspective.

A participatory community-based intervention was carried out in three phases: diagnosis (2004-2005), intervention (2006) and evaluation (2007). The evaluation phase included three components: analysing community leaders' perceptions of human rights, a comparative analysis of population surveys before (2005) and after the intervention (2007) and analysing the demand for cytology services (2001-2007) and analysing gaining access to definitive diagnosis and treatment (2007).

A significant increase in activities related to human rights' claims was found. Cytological coverage during the last year reached 75% in the most vulnerable females. The intervention contributed towards recovering credibility in public health services. It also enhanced the quality of the services being offered to women.

The cancer control model promoted the development of effective action at multiple levels. Encouraging a human rights' approach is pertinent in cancer control programmes.