Cancer is the second frequent non-communicable disease in many regions of the world after cardiovascular diseases (Global health, 2016). To prevent and combat cancer, it is vital to unite efforts of international and local health organizations. This paper examines the key determinants of cervical cancer, factors to ensure access to prevention technologies, and the challenges that the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) faces.
Cervical cancer mortality rates in the developing world are four times as much on average than in wealthier countries (Multi-pronged attack, 2009). The reasons are complex and include several determinants. Gender inequality is the most influential social and cultural phenomenon: women are often deprived of medical care due to their lower status and cultural sensitivities to male doctors (Multi-pronged attack, 2016). The significance of economic issues is illustrated by the fact that proper health care is inaccessible to the poorest; as a result, 90 % of premature deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries (Global health, 2016).
The new prevention technologies require the following conditions: scientific and public health administration by global health agencies, political and financial assistance in vaccinating girls, screening and treating women, and human papillomavirus and cervical cancer prevention equipment at reasonable prices (Multi-pronged attack, 2016). Moreover, health professionals, medical organizations, researchers, government agencies, and civil society should cooperate and support the practical use of these technologies. In this regard, it is necessary to establish multilateral agencies that will provide rapid prequalification and broad-scale supply for developing countries.
Within the ACCP project, the partners involved have overcome misunderstandings but still face challenges nowadays. For example, Cervical Cancer Action’s (CCA) funding model is limited. To avoid any conflict of interest, the Governing Council has decided not to accept money from pharmaceutical companies and function on contributions (Multi-pronged attack, 2009). Since only CCA Governing Council volunteers perform CCA tasks, they are overloaded. It would be more effective to allocate people to either of the organizations. Further, consulting physicians and researchers may be ignorant of strategies alternative to Pap smear testing (Multi-pronged attack, 2009). It is a laborious task to educate them: international conferences, professional journals publications, and personal contacts are needed.
Apart from economic and medical aspects, a political climate plays a pivotal role in new technologies implementation. The attitude towards the problem may be described as indifference in several countries where ACCP is operating. The examples of Uganda and Ghana are typical: similar to many African countries, their governments pay more attention to communicable diseases and almost ignore such problems as cancer. As a result, the cervical cancer rates are high, about 47.5/100,00 and 45/100,00 per annum in Uganda and Ghana correspondingly (Advances in screening, 2016). Without local legal support and established medical standards, it is hardly possible for international organizations alone to improve the situation.
In conclusion, cervical cancer is caused by social, cultural, and economic factors. Although ACCP and other international organizations render assistance, the developing countries also should concentrate their politics on this issue.
References
Advances in screening and prevention in reproductive cancer. (2016). About cervical cancer. Web.
Global health issues. (2016). Web.
Multi-pronged attack on cervical cancer detection seeks to speed detection and treatment in resource-constrained countries. (2009). Web.