Background
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer-related death among Indian women. Over 65 000 women die every year from this disease and even though cervical cancer is treatable if identified in its early stages, cervical screenings of women who have not yet shown severe symptoms is practically absent. The disease burden is highest in India’s most populated state, Uttar Pradesh, where a large majority of those affected live in rural areas.

About the project
This project was created to identify the gaps and challenges in policy frameworks and existing health programmes, to understand the barriers that prevent women in India from accessing public health services for cervical cancer. The project team reviewed policy documents and interviewed programme managers on various levels. The findings from the study were then used come up with an action plan on how to increase women’s access to screening services in the Gautam Budh Nagar district, in Uttar Pradesh.

Results
The findings from the study showed that cervical cancer was not identified as a sexual and reproductive health issue and the gender aspect of the disease was not taken into consideration in the policy development. There was not enough focus on preventative efforts and no emphasis on community mobilization. Lack of privacy in the public health system was also identified as a barrier for women to seek and access help.

The project team used their findings to formulate recommendations of how to improve the health programme planning. Examples of these recommendations include: integrating cervical cancer screenings with reproductive and child health services, carrying out capacity-building trainings with health service providers and sensitizing policy makers on gender issues. After the project ended, the team presented their recommendations to programme implementers at various levels to incorporate cervical cancer screening in the District Health Action Plan in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Year: 2015