The development and implementation of National Reproductive Cancer Screening policies and programmes is an urgent priority in the area of reproductive health in Asia and the Pacific. Most women in both industrialised countries and poorer countries of the region have never had a pap smear test for cervical cancer or any education on how to do a breast self-examination to detect breast cancer. Without access to early detection methods, women are reported to be seeking treatment for cervical and breast cancer too late, when the disease is already at an advanced stage. Why is this happening and what are the solutions?
