THE ROLE OF NURSES IN CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION IN THE CONTEXT OF PRIMARY CARE

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the role of nurses in CCU prevention in the context of Primary Health Care. This is an integrative literature review, conducted in six stages, based on the PICo strategy for formulating the guiding question. Data collection was carried out in March 2026 in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), including the LILACS, MEDLINE, and BDENF databases, using descriptors combined with the Boolean operator AND. Articles published between 2019 and 2025, available in full text, in Portuguese, and related to the proposed theme were included. Initially, 98 studies were identified, of which 13 comprised the final sample. The results showed that the nurse's role is essential in the prevention of cervical cancer, encompassing actions such as health education, performing cytopathological examinations, providing guidance on risk factors, encouraging HPV vaccination, actively seeking out women, and monitoring cases. It is concluded that the nurse plays a strategic role in Primary Health Care, contributing significantly to early detection, reduction of incidence and mortality from cervical cancer, as well as promoting comprehensive women's health care.