Women's Participation in Pap Smear Screening in a Developing Country: Evidence for Improving Health Systems.

Introduction: Every year about 83,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the Americas. Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates from cervical cancer in the world. Although incidence has decreased by half in the last 30 years, cervical cancer remains a public health concern.

The cervical cancer prevention programme in Costa Rica.

Cervical and uterine cancer continues to be an important issue for women around the world, although neoplasia has the greatest demonstrated potential for prevention. Costa Rica has achieved important advances in the reduction of the incidence and mortality of these cancers since the last century. This is the result of a series of policies, programmes, and plans, not only at the level of the health care system, but also in other areas.