EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION AND SCREENING ACTIONS: SCOPE REVIEW

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted health systems worldwide, especially in Latin American countries, causing significant disruptions in essential cervical cancer (CC) screening actions. This largely preventable cancer depends on strategies such as the Pap smear and vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), both of which have been affected during the health crisis. Objective: To analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on CC prevention and screening actions in Latin American countries, identifying gaps, opportunities, and recommendations for more effective public policies. Method: A scoping review will be conducted, following the PRISMA guidelines, searching six scientific databases, covering publications between 2019 and 2024. It will include original studies and systematic reviews on the impacts of the pandemic on CC screening programs in Latin America. Bibliometric analysis will complement the data synthesis, highlighting publication trends and scientific collaborations.