Abstract
We assessed the use of well women clinics (WWC) screening services for cervical and breast cancer prevention in a sample of females attending the largest religious festival in Sri Lanka. Of the 3,116 women studied, 2, 874(92.2%) were aware on breast cancer and 2, 609(83.7%) on cervical carcinoma. Of them only 1,895 (60.8%) were aware of the WWC services, but only 578 (18.5%) had ever used the services. Of the 217 professionals or associate professionals in the study sample, 190 (87.6%) were aware of the WWC compared to only 58.8% among the 2,899 women falling under the categories of other occupations and housewives. Clinic attendance was also significantly higher amongst professionals and associate professionals compared to women in other occupational categories and housewives (40.1% versus 16.9%). Use of cancer screening services are low and new strategies needed to improve the secondary prevention of these cancers in Sri Lanka.
Highlights
The concept of the Well Woman Clinic (WWCs) was first introduced to Sri Lanka in 1996 to screen women for noncommunicable diseases including reproductive system malignancies; breast and cervical cancers
While the well women clinic (WWC) services are available for early detection, more than 30% of breast cancers diagnosed in Sri Lanka in 2007 were in the stage IIIA or later showing a late presentation
The survey was conducted as a part of a massive health promotion and awareness program on breast and cervical cancers initiated by the medical undergraduates of the Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
Summary
The concept of the Well Woman Clinic (WWCs) was first introduced to Sri Lanka in 1996 to screen women for noncommunicable diseases including reproductive system malignancies; breast and cervical cancers. WWCs are operating throughout the country, at all Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas, on fortnightly or monthly basis At these clinics, women over 35 years of age get screened for cervical and breast cancers, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. While the WWC services are available for early detection, more than 30% of breast cancers diagnosed in Sri Lanka in 2007 were in the stage IIIA or later showing a late presentation. These women were either not using or not aware of cancer screening services. The purpose of the present study was to determine the awareness and utilization of breast and cervical cancer and WWC services among women aged more than 35 years
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