Cervical Cancer Prevention, Early Diagnosis-Screening Methods and Midwives / Nurses Role

Cervical cancer ranks second among women after breast cancer in the world. Worldwide 493.000 new cases per year are diagnosed and 274.000 women lose their life due to cervical cancer. In our country, according to 2006 data of the Health Ministry Cancer Control Department, cervical cancers compose 5 per 100.000 of all cancers in women. Cervical cancers are the best examples of protection from genital cancers. Prevention can be achieved by vaccination and lifestyle considerations. Early diagnoses is possible via Pap smear test.Nevertheless, cervical malignancies are an important cause of death in the developing and underdeveloped countries. In our country, cervical cancer still poses a serious problem , due to lack of regular screening. For these reasons, identifying the incidence of cervical cancers, and associated risk factors, investigating the causes, and developing strategies towards prevention and treatment of cervical cancer are important. In this respect, midwives / nurses who have constant communication with the individuals and the community should provide information to individuals about appropriate health behaviours by gathering relevant data and providing counselling. In this article, cervical cancer prevention, early diagnosis, screening tests, and the role of midwives / nurses within this context are discussed.