Cervical Cancer Screening Initiative at Gynocare Women & Fistula Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya

Bridging the gap between awareness and screening…

Although preventable, Cervical Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Sub-Saharan Africa with the highest incidence in East Africa (Mabachi et al.) A study by Ng’ang’a et al on predictors of cervical cancer screening among Kenyan women revealed a disconnect between awareness of the importance of cervical cancer screening (64%) and the uptake of free cervical cancer screening (17%) with lower uptake in rural communities.

Often, patients will present with advanced cervical cancer (stage 3 & stage 4) and the radiative treatment necessary ultimately result in the development of fistulas. Kenya's Cervical Cancer Prevention Strategic Plan (CECAP) aspires to provide screening at all levels of the healthcare system and treatment as soon as possible. In collaboration with the doctors, clinicians, and social workers at Gynocare, we seek to gain a better understanding of the barriers to screening uptake and use of simple technology to improve the uptake of screening services and successful early intervention.