Frontiers in Oncology (Nov 2015)
Cervical Cancer in Botswana: Current State and Future Steps for Screening and Treatment Programs
- Surbhi eGrover,
- Surbhi eGrover,
- Surbhi eGrover,
- Mmakgomo eRaesima,
- Memory eBvochora-Nsingo,
- Sebathu eChiyapo,
- Dawn eBalang,
- Neo eTapela,
- Neo eTapela,
- Onyinye eBalogun,
- Mukendi K.A. Kayembe,
- Anthony H. Russell,
- Barati eMonare,
- Senate eTanyala,
- Jailakshmi eBhat,
- Kealeboga eThipe,
- Metlha eNchunga,
- Susan eMayisela,
- Balladiah eKizito,
- Ari eHo-Foster,
- Ari eHo-Foster,
- Babe Eunice Gaolebale,
- Ponatshego A. Gaolebale,
- Jason A. Efstathiou,
- Scott eDryden-Peterson,
- Nicola eZetola,
- Stephen M. Hahn,
- Erle S. Robertson,
- Lilie L. Lin,
- Chelsea eMorroni,
- Chelsea eMorroni,
- Chelsea eMorroni,
- Chelsea eMorroni,
- Doreen eRamogola-Masire,
- Doreen eRamogola-Masire,
- Doreen eRamogola-Masire
Affiliations
- Surbhi eGrover
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Surbhi eGrover
- University of Botswana
- Surbhi eGrover
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Mmakgomo eRaesima
- Ministry of Health
- Memory eBvochora-Nsingo
- Gaborone Private Hospital
- Sebathu eChiyapo
- Princess Marina Hospital
- Dawn eBalang
- Gaborone Private Hospital
- Neo eTapela
- Princess Marina Hospital
- Neo eTapela
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Onyinye eBalogun
- New York University Perlmutter Cancer Center
- Mukendi K.A. Kayembe
- National Health Laboratory
- Anthony H. Russell
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Barati eMonare
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Senate eTanyala
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Jailakshmi eBhat
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Kealeboga eThipe
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Metlha eNchunga
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Susan eMayisela
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Balladiah eKizito
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Ari eHo-Foster
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Ari eHo-Foster
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Babe Eunice Gaolebale
- Princess Marina Hospital
- Ponatshego A. Gaolebale
- Princess Marina Hospital
- Jason A. Efstathiou
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Scott eDryden-Peterson
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Nicola eZetola
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Stephen M. Hahn
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Erle S. Robertson
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Lilie L. Lin
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Chelsea eMorroni
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Chelsea eMorroni
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Chelsea eMorroni
- University of Botswana
- Chelsea eMorroni
- University College London
- Doreen eRamogola-Masire
- Botswana University of Pennsylvania Partnership
- Doreen eRamogola-Masire
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
- Doreen eRamogola-Masire
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2015.00239
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 5
Abstract
Botswana has a high burden of cervical cancer due to a limited screening program and high HIV prevalence. About 60% of the cervical cancer patients are HIV positive; most present with advanced cervical disease. Through initiatives by the Botswana Ministry of Health and various strategic partnerships, strides have been made in treatment of pre-invasive and invasive cancer. The See and Treat program for cervical cancer is expanding throughout the country. Starting in 2015, school-going girls will be vaccinated against HPV. In regards to treatment of invasive cancer, a multi-disciplinary clinic has been initiated at the main oncology hospital to streamline care. However, challenges remain such as delays in treatment, lack of trained human personnel, limited follow up care and little patient education. Despite improvements in the care of pre-invasive and invasive cervical cancer patients, for declines in cervical cancer related morbidity and mortality to be achieved, Botswana needs to continue to invest in decreasing the burden of disease and improving patient outcomes of patients with cervical cancer.
Keywords
