Kerman University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Health Policy and Management 2322-5939 5 4 2016 04 01 Priority Setting for Improvement of Cervical Cancer Prevention in Iran 225 232 3131 10.15171/ijhpm.2015.201 EN Azam Majidi Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza Ghiasvand Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Maryam Hadji Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Azin Nahvijou Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Azam-Sadat Mousavi Department of Genecology Oncology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Minoo Pakgohar Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nahid Khodakarami Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mehrandokht Abedini Deputy of Public Health, Maternal Office, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Farnaz Amouzegar Hashemi Radiotherapy Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Marjan Rahnamaye Farzami Central Reference Laboratory, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Reza Shahsiah Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sima Sajedinejhad Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Ali Mohagheghi Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fatemeh Nadali Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Arash Rashidian Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Elisabete Weiderpass Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of PopulationBased Cancer Research, Oslo, Norway Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland Ole Mogensen Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark Kazem Zendehdel Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Cancer Model Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2015 02 04 Background <br />Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Organized cervical screening and vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) have been successful interventions for prevention of invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Because of cultural and religious considerations, ICC has low incidence in Iran and many other Muslim countries. There is no organized cervical screening in these countries. Therefore, ICC is usually diagnosed in advanced stages with poor prognosis in these countries. We performed a priority setting exercise and suggested priorities for prevention of ICC in this setting. <br />  <br />Methods <br />We invited experts and researchers to a workshop and asked them to list important suggestions for ICC prevention in Iran. After merging similar items and removing the duplicates, we asked the experts to rank the list of suggested items. We used a strategy grid and Go-zone analysis to determine final list of priorities for ICC prevention in Iran. <br />  <br />Results <br />From 26 final items suggested as priorities for prevention of ICC, the most important priorities were developing national guidelines for cervical screening and quality control protocol for patient follow-up and management of precancerous lesions. In addition, we emphasized considering insurance coverage for cervical screening, public awareness, and research priorities, and establishment of a cervical screening registry. <br />  <br />Conclusion <br />A comprehensive approach and implementation of organized cervical screening program is necessary for prevention of ICC in Iran and other low incidence Muslim countries. Because of high cost for vaccination and low incidence of cervical cancer, we do not recommend HPV vaccination for the time being in Iran. https://www.ijhpm.com/article_3131_647cfc6bf6673efb488587414bb65dd6.pdf