Prevention and Screening of Cervical Cancer

Prompt 1 

Cervical cancer is the health problem identified in the peer-reviewed article. According to the authors, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer type affecting women. Cervical cancer is primarily caused by a virus known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). However, the authors remain keen to identify screening as the health promotion of choice that assists in the early detection of the precancerous cells, thereby initiating treatment. Women are, therefore advised to routinely undergo screening procedures after every three years to assess their state of health. Two methods will be used in the screening procedure. The first one is known as the HPV testing that seeks to uncover the presence of the virus leading to cancer (McGraw & Ferrante, 2014). The second one is known as Pap smear that focuses on assessing the presence of the precancerous cells by looking at the cervical cells through a microscope by a cytologist. These procedures will help in promoting health through early detection and treatment of cancer. 

The process that can be assessed for these activities includes their adherence to the international quality standards of testing. Both tests need to follow the right standard operating procedures (SOP). The effect will revolve around the patient’s reactions during sample collection. The outcome that can be assessed includes the validity and accuracy of the test procedure and results, respectively. 

Prompt 2 

As a public health professional, the department that I foresee interacting with includes the laboratory and the nursing departments. These two departments pose the most significant public health implications. Without proper management of human samples in the lab, serious public health concerns can arise. Without proper management of patients by nurses, serious public health concerns can emerge in the nursing departments through disease transmission. Therefore, as a public health concern, my primary role is to work with professionals in these departments to promote safety, hygiene, and prevention of disease transmission. Inter-professional collaboration in public health improves the knowledge base, promotes quality of care, and creates an enabling environment for health workers to operate. 

Reference 

McGraw, S. L., & Ferrante, J. M. (2014). Update on prevention and screening of cervical cancer. World journal of clinical oncology, 5(4), 744.