Manirakiza, ALongombe, ANKyamanywa, PatrickRulisa, S2022-04-252022-04-252016Manirakiza, A., Longombe, A.N., Kyamanywa, P. and Rulisa, S., 2016. Cervical cancer in Rwanda: Why do women consult in late stages?. Rwanda Medical Journal, 73(4), pp.9-11.2079-097Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12280/2957Introduction: Cervical cancer remains among the most common and a serious cause of cancer-related mortality across the world. Many patients consult in late stages and this account to numerous reasons. We report here the reasons as found in a teaching hospital in Kigali, Rwanda. Methods: Observational, cross sectional study consisting of a one-onone interview to patients in a follow up clinic for a time period of 8 months at the Kigali University Teaching Hospital. Results: Twenty fie (25) patients were interviewed between May and December 2012. Most women (68%) were found to be above 35 years of age, and a considerable number (n=9) came from the Eastern Province of the country. Over two-thirds of the patients (68%) reported to have had their fist sexual intercourse below the age 20 years, yet a few consented a positive cigarette smoking history. About a tenth (12%) of the patients confimed knowing the typical fist signs of cervical cancer, and nearly a half (52%) of patients gave an indolent/painless course of disease as the main reason of delay to seek treatment. Conclusion: Integrated methods of sensitization and screening campaigns are highly needed. Further studies measuring the impact of these methods are necessary to know the impact on early detection and better management.enCervical CancerScreeningDelayRwandaArticle