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Dorji T, Wangmo S, Dargay S, Dorji N, Dorjey Y, Pradhan B, Pema D, Dema C, Choden J, Dorji T, Mynak ML, Pempa, Jamphel K. Population-level cancer screening and cancer care in Bhutan, 2020-2023: a review. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia 2024; 24:100370. [PMID: 38444883 PMCID: PMC10910341 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2024.100370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Screening of cancers is an important intervention in reducing the incidence and mortality related to cancers. Bhutan is one small country that is witnessing an increasing incidence and mortality related to cancers. The government implemented a time-bound population-level screening for gastric, cervical and breast cancers from 2020 to 2023 with an overall coverage of 91.2% of the eligible population. Among 370,225 individuals screened for H pylori, 32.4% tested positive; among 53,182 who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy, 255 (0.07%) had gastric cancer. Among 10,749 tested for HPV DNA, 9.3% were positive; among 9887 evaluated with colposcopy and biopsy, 154 (0.13%) had cervical cancer. For breast cancer screening, 72,283 underwent clinical breast examination, 845 mammography and cancer was detected in 73 (0.10%) individuals. In this article, we review how Bhutan implemented a population-level cancer screening programme with on boarding of multiple stakeholders and the participation of people across all districts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinley Dorji
- Department of Internal Medicine, Central Regional Referral Hospital, Gelephu, Bhutan
| | - Sangay Wangmo
- Department of Surgery, Central Regional Referral Hospital, Gelephu, Bhutan
| | - Sonam Dargay
- Department of Surgery, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Namkha Dorji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Yeshey Dorjey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Phuentsholing General Hospital, Phuentsholing, Bhutan
| | - Birendra Pradhan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Dechen Pema
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Central Regional Referral Hospital, Gelephu, Bhutan
| | - Choney Dema
- National Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Jamyang Choden
- Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | | | | | - Pempa
- Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Kinga Jamphel
- Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
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