Cervical cancer is a preventable disease that kills thousands of Nigerian women yearly. The Access to Basic medical Care (ABC medical) Foundation is committed to reducing the impact of cervical cancer in Nigerian women by providing accessible screening and treatment facilities in Oyo State. 20% of women screened in a recent exercise tested positive for HPV infection. Further diagnosis of precancerous lesions and treatment needs to be provided for these women.
Cervical cancer deaths in Nigerian women can be easily prevented if the right systems are put in place. Limited access to screening facilities and lack of skilled health care workers are some of the challenges facing the prevention of cervical cancer in Nigeria. Also, the high poverty level and lack of awareness does not encourage women to seek screening. Provision of accessible screening and treatment will prevent the development of advanced cervical cancer
Provision of free treatment will eliminate financial constraints that may prevent women who have tested positive to HPV infection to return for treatment. The See and Treat procedure will be used for women who have been screened previously and tested positive for high risk HPV infection. This procedure is effective and can be completed in a single visit. Experienced gynecologists will lead the treatment procedure and provide training for health care workers at the clinic for continuity.
Women who benefit from this treatment exercise will be empowered and encourage other women to get screened. Many of these women contribute to the income in their households; saving their lives will in turn increase the standard of living of their families. Health care workers trained during this treatment exercise will be able to train others and increase the number of skilled health care workers addressing cervical cancer.
