Proyecto Precancer

No woman should die of a preventable cancer. Despite being highly preventable, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Peru. Our interdisciplinary team works hand in hand with health professionals, health authorities, and decision-makers in the Amazonian city of Iquitos, Peru to develop a comprehensive, accessible and optimized program equipped to prevent these needless deaths. We serve as facilitators and consultants, and we provide the tools and resources that our local collaborators need to make informed decisions and create a system that adequately addresses women’s needs. The project began its work in Iquitos in 2016 and has since evolved into an ongoing collaboration between a large group of dedicated health professionals in Iquitos, the Loreto region’s Ministry of Health (DIRESA-Loreto), the University of Maryland, Tulane University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Virginia, as well as the Peruvian non-governmental organization Asociación Benéfica PRISMA. An effective screening program with high coverage, high quality tests, and efficient follow up can prevent cervical cancer mortality. We are confident this can be achieved.