Can we do the same in the developing world?

Introduction. Cervical cancer is among the most dangerous diseases affecting women worldwide. Its effects can be mitigated with a program of regular screening to address cancer and its precursors early. But, prevailing conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean make it difficult to implement successful early detection programs. Method. To evaluate the scope of the problem, a review of international cervical cancer data and related literature were surveyed. Results. It was found that cervical cancer affects 37/100,000 women in Latin America, while the incidence is 7.8 in the United States and 8.2 in Canada. Conclusion. Funding is needed to raise awareness of cervical cancer in Latin America, as well as to identify other obstacles to the success of screening programs in the region. (C) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.