Research seeks alternatives for the prevention of cervical cancer in Manaus

STUDY

The objective is to validate innovative alternatives and tools for the prevention of cervical cancer.

Manaus (AM) – Seeking to validate alternatives and innovative tools for the prevention of cervical cancer, a survey carried out in the Amazon, and coordinated by the Fundação Centro de Controle de Oncologia do Estado do Amazonas (FCecon), was one of the chosen for the Portfolio of Investments and Results de Pesquisas do Amazonas, launched by the Government of Amazonas in January.

The document brings 50 projects that represent a selection of the large number of completed studies, with resources and incentives from the State of Amazonas Research Support Foundation (Fapeam), in the period from 2020 to 2022. The collection is available on the institution’s website at www.fapeam.am.gov.br.

The study “Innovation in technologies for the prevention of cervical cancer” is part of the doctorate of the professor at the Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam) Suzana Nunes, and is coordinated by the Director of Education and Research (DEP) at FCecon, Kátia Luz Torres .

The objective is to validate innovative alternatives and tools for the prevention of cervical cancer, which allow the expansion of coverage and detection of the presence of markers associated with precursor lesions of this cancer.

The project is financed by the Research Program for the SUS (PPSUS), of the Ministry of Health/Decit, by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Fapeam. At FCecon, the study is included in the Scientific Initiation Support Program (Paic), by student Joicy Oliveira.

self collection

According to Suzana Nunes, a national device for self-collection of cervicovaginal samples was used by women from the Pau Rosa Community, located in the rural area of ​​Manaus.

“These samples were sent and analyzed at FCecon’s molecular biology laboratory, for the detection of high-risk HPV (Human Papillomavirus) for cervical cancer. A total of 304 women between 25 and 64 years old, living in the community, participated in the study”, said the doctoral student.

Collections relied on partner institutions, such as health agents from the Municipal Health Secretariat (Semsa Manaus), especially the Family Health Strategy team from the Rural Basic Health Unit (UBS) of Pau Rosa, Fametro and Estácio colleges, Institute of Medicine Tropical de São Paulo (IMT/USP) and researchers from FCecon.

Tracking

According to the doctoral student, the self-collection strategy actually manages to reach women in the target age group of 25 to 64 years, especially those in remote and difficult-to-reach areas. For cultural and religious reasons, many do not adhere to the screening strategy through cytopathological examination (Pap smear) of the cervix.

“Therefore, the study points out that the self-collection strategy for detecting high-risk HPV can significantly contribute to the prevention of cervical cancer in women in areas of difficult access”, highlights Suzana Nunes.

All HPV test reports were delivered to the UBS for monitoring the women.

Relevance

For Kátia Torres, the publication of the research in the Fapeam portfolio shows the relevance of the study, in the search for new methods of screening and prevention of cervical cancer in the Amazon.

“We developed this study with the financial support of Fapeam and we are happy to have been included in the portfolio. It reinforces the importance of studies about new screening and triage strategies, based on HPV tests for cervical cancer, the most frequent among women in the Amazon”, said Torres.

With advisory information*

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