Background: Prevalence of breast and cervical cancer are on the increase in the developing countries despite the knowledge of how these diseases can be prevented through screening. Reproductive rights, Advocacy, Safe space and Empowerment Foundation (RAISE) initiated breast and cervical cancer screening program in Niger State as part of its reproductive health services. The program is hereby evaluated with the aim of improving its performance toward reducing burden of these diseases in Niger State. Aim: To evaluate the breast and cervical cancer screening program, to report the experience from the program, and to recommend necessary changes and scaling up of best practices. Methods: Audit of the breast and cervical cancer screening program was conducted. The basic components of cervical cancer screening programs; screening uptake, screening services, treatment of screen positives, follow-up and referrals were audited against previously set standards for the program. The difference in screening uptake for breast and cervical cancer was evaluated for better understanding of factors determining screening uptake in Niger state. Results: Between 18 July 2016 and 30 April 2018, 2035 women between the age of 15-75 years were screened for breast cancer and 1258 women between the age of 20-55 years were screened for cervical cancer, representing about 38% higher uptake of breast cancer screening compared with cervical cancer. The parity range of these women is 0-20. The mean age and parity for women screened during the audit period were; 35 years and 8 for breast cancer, while 29 years and 7 for cervical cancer. Fifty-two (2.56%) of the 2035 women screened for breast cancer had a palpable lump in either 1 or both breasts, while 4 (0.3%) of the 1258 women screened for cervical cancer had a positive result (aceto-white lesions) treated with cryotherapy. The women have low socioeconomic status with predominantly farmers, petty traders and housewives earning less than $2 per day. Most of the women are illiterate with little or no form of education. Other possible barriers for low uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening is lack of transportation, religious and cultural beliefs, shyness and lack of sensitization. Conclusion: Screening uptake is still very poor despite massive awareness campaign. The current awareness creation strategy has not been able to create needed demand for the available screening services. A total overhaul of awareness creation strategies is therefore advocated.
Referral adherence in an inner city breast and cervical cancer screening program
