Prevent and Detect Cervical Cancer in Guatemala

For many women in Guatemala, a cervical cancer screening is not an easily obtainable medical appointment. It can require hours of travel, time away from work and family, and overcoming fear and misinformation. In rural and underserved Guatemalan communities, these barriers often mean that cervical cancer is detected too late, when treatment options are fewer and less effective. 

Many women attend WINGS jornadas (clinic days) seeking contraceptive services and may not initially plan to also receive a cervical cancer screening. However, after the personal counseling and education provided by the WINGS medical team at each jornada, women learn about the importance of early cervical cancer detection and many choose to access potentially life-saving care.

Earlier this year, during a WINGS jornada in Puerto Barrios, a town in the Atlantic Coast of Guatemala near the eastern border with Honduras, a woman arrived after traveling more than two hours by boat from her remote community. She initially came seeking a tubal ligation procedure. After learning about our cervical cancer prevention services from the medical staff, she decided to also receive a cervical cancer screening in which the WINGS nurses use visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). In a moment of reflection, surrounded by the sounds of patients arriving, she shared how grateful she felt that WINGS had reached her region, explaining that women in her community rarely have access to reproductive healthcare. Her voice reflected a sense of relief knowing that she would finally receive care without the financial burden that so often makes these services inaccessible for Guatemalan women.

At a maternity public hospital in Guatemala City, where WINGS was hosting a contraceptive services jornada, a woman decided to be screened for cervical cancer after attending an educational session led by our medical staff. Her screening result was positive. Frightened and unsure about the diagnosis, she spent time speaking with WINGS nurses and physicians, who carefully explained the results, treatment process, and next steps. Feeling informed and supported, she chose to receive same-day thermocoagulation treatment. Before leaving, she thanked the team for treating her with patience, dignity, and compassion throughout the process.

These stories are a powerful reminder that bringing integrated reproductive healthcare directly into the communities we serve saves lives. Early detection creates the opportunity for timely treatment, better outcomes, and healthier futures for women across Guatemala. Thanks to your support as a WINGS donor, more women are receiving access to free, quality cervical cancer screenings that they may never have otherwise obtained.