NURSING CARE IN THE PREVENTION OF CERVICAL CANCER

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem, especially in developing countries, despite being a disease with high potential for prevention and cure when diagnosed early. In this context, nursing care plays a fundamental role in health promotion, screening, and early detection. This study aims to analyze nursing care in the prevention of cervical cancer. The specific objectives were to describe the main risk factors and prevention strategies, discuss the role of nurses in health promotion and in performing screening tests, and identify challenges faced in care delivery. This is a narrative literature review based on authors such as Tomasi et al. (2015), Oliveira et al. (2016), Arbyn et al. (2020), and Brazil (2016). The results show that nursing plays a strategic role in comprehensive women's care, contributing to increased access and adherence to cytopathological screening. However, challenges remain related to inequalities in access, sociocultural factors, and structural limitations of health services. It is concluded that strengthening primary health care and improving nursing practice are essential to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer.