@article { author = {Srinivas, Vijaya and Herbst de Cortina, Sasha and Nishimura, Holly and Krupp, Karl and Jayakrishna, Poornima and Ravi, Kavitha and Khan, Anisa and Madhunapantula, SubbaRao V and Madhivanan, Purnima}, title = {Community-based Mobile Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural India: Successes and Challenges for Implementation}, journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention}, volume = {22}, number = {5}, pages = {1393-1400}, year = {2021}, publisher = {West Asia Organization for Cancer Prevention (WAOCP), APOCP's West Asia Chapter.}, issn = {1513-7368}, eissn = {2476-762X}, doi = {10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.5.1393}, abstract = {Background: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility; mention the challenges encountered and highlight the success of implementing a community-based mobile cervical cancer-screening program in rural India. Methods: Communities were mobilized through extensive peer education and by screening in existing community spaces using a mobile clinic model. An initial “screen and treat” protocol was transitioned to “screen, test, and treat” using Pap smears for confirmatory testing, and cryotherapy or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for treatment. We trained 50 Peer Educators and conducted 190 screening camps in 58 locations. Results: Of 3,821 registered women, 3,544 (92.8%) accepted screening. Overall, 440/3544 (12.4%, 95% CI 11.3-13.5%) women had VIA-positive lesions. Under “screen and treat”, 56/156 (35.9%) women accepted same-day treatment. Under “screen, test, and treat”, 555/762 (72.8%) women received a Pap smear. Overall, 83 women underwent cryotherapy (n=56) and LEEP (n=27). Of those, 49 (59.0%) participants were followed up, with normal VIA results up to two years after treatment. In summary, the peer educators promoted awareness of cervical cancer and helped in gaining buy-in from communities. Acceptance of same-day treatment was low and accompanied by loss to follow-up, limiting the utility of VIA in these studies. Conclusions: Mobile infrastructure utilized in community spaces brought screening directly to rural women. Culturally appropriate methods to increase linkage to treatment and additional screening options such as HPV DNA testing should be explored.}, keywords = {cancer screening,Cervical cancer,Community Outreach,Mobile Clinic}, url = {https://journal.waocp.org/article_89587.html}, eprint = {https://journal.waocp.org/article_89587_07a2e9bc525ce17e89ccd9af21ead0d5.pdf} }