Efforts last week to advance cervical cancer screening reached Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) and met with a good response as over 300 women were screened during two one-day clinics at Charity and Suddie.

This screening makes use of the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) methodology which uses a relatively simple test to detect pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix or cancer of the cervix. The VIA test, unlike the previously used Pap smear, gives results within minutes and is cost effective. Additionally it allows for earlier detection and treatment of pre-cancerous cells.

Director of Regional Health Services (RHS), Dr Narine Singh, said of the 300 plus women screened, 30 tested VIA positive or, in other words, tested positive for pre-cancerous cells.

“Of the 30 that were tested, 25 were treated immediately using Cryotherapy and the other five were referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for a minor surgical procedure called LEEP,” Singh said.

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a more advanced procedure requiring anesthesia and performed by a doctor. This and the Cryotherapy are the two treatment options available.

Reflecting on the success of the two clinics, the RHS Director affirmed that testing and treatment will continue at both sites once every month.

“We have two trained providers in Region Two and they will be responsible for carrying out the VIA screening there,” he said.

Singh pointed out that these two health workers were part of a larger group of 10 who recently underwent training at the Georgetown Hospital earlier in January.

Dr John Varello was the facilitator of the sessions held at the Multipurpose Hall at the hospital. Varello is a consultant from John Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (JHPIEGO), an overseas-based organisation partnering with the Health Ministry to expand the VIA programme here.

The RHS Director pointed out that the rest of health workers trained represented Regions One (Barima/Waini), Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), Five (Mahaica/ Berbice), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).

“The training comprised a five day session and the end result is that the health workers involved will go back and implement VIA screening at their clinics,” Singh said.
The clinics are expected to be officially launched within this month.
“The next clinics to be opened will be at the Leonora Diagnostic Centre and the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH). Later on we will see clinics at Mabaruma, Mahaicony, Bartica and Linden,” he said.

Singh added that the work is being done in phases and in time screening for cervical cancer will be a part of the routine services at health facilities. At present VIA screening clinics are offered every week day at the Georgetown Hospital, the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre, and the Campbellville Health Centre. A clinic is also functioning at the Skeldon Hospital.