Dr. Andall-Brereton said that the assessment seeks to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the national cervical cancer programme. This would be done with a view to strengthening the programme for a more organised approach to prevention and control.

She further added that the areas that the assessment will investigate are service delivery at the primary care level, laboratories that analyze pap smears and secondary care levels. The referral mechanism is another critical area.

Dr. Andall-Brereton said that in many countries of the region including St. Kitts and Nevis there are no facilities that provide radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She further stated that many patients with invasive cervical cancer need to access such services from the countries in the region that do provide them and so mechanisms need to be put in place to facilitate this.

Dr. Andall-Brereton said that St. Kitts along with the other 20 Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) member-countries are being assisted in implementing organised programmes. She said that this should translate into having up-to-date screening centres where women will be able to access services at both private and public health facilities for pap smears. The service would also extend to timely results from laboratories, follow-up mechanisms for procedures that can be done in the Federation or referral mechanisms for patients who have to travel overseas.

The cervical cancer prevention and control project manager added that regionally CAREC is investigating how radio and kemo therapy can be made more available. She added that training is another critical component of an organised programme while mentioning that 14 persons from 10 Caribbean countries are presently undertaking cytology training. She said that one of CAREC’s objectives is to provide updates for doctors, nurses and pathologists so that health care professionals are well trained and aware of modern techniques.

Pertaining to St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Andall-Brereton said that the local programme is well supported but encouraged others to assist after the initial assessment findings.

She said that at present Ms. Petronella Edwards, Coordinator for Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases has support from a needs assessment team that includes both Government and Non Government Agencies. She did, however, encourage public and private physicians to take the opportunity to become involved in steering the course of the programme, since there would need to be additional initiatives after the results of the assessment become available.