Single-visit program for cervical cancer prevention in a high-risk population

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Public Health
• Oncology

Background:

• Cervical cancer remains a significant health concern, particularly among underserved populations.
• Barriers to healthcare access, including cost and time, hinder timely screening and treatment.
• Early detection through Papanicolaou (Pap) smears is crucial for preventing invasive cervical cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of a comprehensive, single-visit program for cervical neoplasia screening and management.
• To evaluate the program's effectiveness in identifying and treating cervical abnormalities in high-risk women.
• To determine patient satisfaction and educational impact of the integrated approach.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of 126 asymptomatic, indigent women with no Pap smear in ≥2 years via Spanish-language media.
• Implementation of a single-visit program including health questionnaire, education, immediate Pap smear analysis, and loop electrosurgical excision (LLETZ) for dysplastic cytology.
• Collection of data on risk factors, healthcare barriers, intervention acceptability, and educational outcomes.

Main Results:

• All participants had at least one cervical cancer risk factor; 80.2% reported healthcare barriers.
• The program identified cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I-III in 5.6% of patients, who underwent successful same-day LLETZ.
• No invasive cervical carcinoma was detected; the average total visit time was 3.6 hours, with high patient satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• A single-visit cervical neoplasia screening and intervention program is feasible and effective.
• This model can successfully overcome barriers to diagnosis and management in high-risk populations.
• The integrated approach demonstrates potential for improving cervical cancer prevention outcomes.