Rural women to benefit from cervical cancer screening project

Specioza Nazziwa's journey to accessing cervical cancer services was not an easy one. The 38-year-old resident of Nalweyo Sub-county in Kakumiro District had to walk far distances just to get screened. "I had to walk far distances since there was no nearest health center offering cervical cancer screening," she recounted.

But Nazziwa's luck changed when she attended a health outreach organized by the Uganda Rural Development and Training program (URDT) during a church seminar in Bubango sub-county, Kibaale District. "I was lucky to receive cancer screening and education," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Nazziwa's experience is not unique. About 8,600 women from greater Kibaale, Kakumiro, and Kagadi districts have benefited from the Screening Project for Advancing Cervical Cancer Awareness and Detection (SPACC) project, with around 690 receiving medical intervention.

Shamim Namagembe, a project coordinator at URDT, emphasized the project's goal of making cervical cancer services accessible to rural women. "Our aim is to make these services accessible in order to help women make informed decisions," she said.

Namagembe also highlighted the project's efforts to involve men in the screening process, recognizing that they play a crucial role in supporting their female partners. "We are working closely with social workers to mediate the screening process with families to curb down violence in communities where we now involve the males for their consent," she explained.

Cervical cancer remains a significant health threat to women in Uganda, despite being one of the most preventable cancers.

Dr Caroline Metzige, a gynecologist at the Uganda Cancer Institute, stressed the need to shift focus from treatment to prevention. "Unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer has a long natural history," she said. "From the time someone is infected with the virus to when they develop the disease, we have about 10 to 20 years. This gives us a golden opportunity to intercept and prevent it."

However, Dr. Metzige acknowledged the challenges surrounding vaccination among young girls. "Our biggest challenge came when administering the second dose. We saw a drop, and when we investigated, myths and misinformation were a major factor as parents believed we were sterilizing their daughters."

The Executive Director at Uganda Cancer Society, Mr Dennis Olodoi, emphasised the importance of community involvement in cervical cancer efforts. "Uganda is a highly rural society with a conservative population. Therefore, community pillars such as traditional and religious leaders play a crucial role in holding families together and encouraging women to seek preventive services."

Olodoi also called upon local funders to support cervical cancer initiatives, citing the success of Rotary's Cancer Run. "When it started in 2012, they raised Shs200m. By 2013, it was Shs300m, and in 2023, they raised Shs243m," he said. "Engagement and local efforts can yield tangible results."