Thanks to the hard work of our partners in the Kisii Ministry of Health and International Medical Corps, the media had reached lots of women with information about the free cervical cancer screening being provided and we had another packed day. 241 women were screened at 8 stations throughout the day, bringing our total over the 2 days to 419 women.
Sadly, we identified three more cases of invasive cancer today, bringing our trip total to 5. The women diagnosed today were 32, 38, and 60 years of age and all were mothers. The 2 younger women had tumors confined to the cervix and would be candidates for a radical hysterectomy. The 60 year old woman will need a combination of chemotherapy and radiation to have any hope of cure.
These women could have been spared the pain and anxiety of a cancer diagnosis had there been a “See and Treat” clinic available and accessible to them a few years ago. Unfortunately, there are so many barriers to proper treatment for cases of invasive cancer. Such services are only available in major cities, and traveling to that location, the waiting time, the cost, etc. make it nearly impossible to get treatment.
With the support of generous donors, dedicated ground partners, and our volunteers, we are on the path to eradicate invasive cervical cancer. Over 40 women received cryotherapy today. Their precancerous lesions could turn into invasive cancer in several years had they not been screened and treated today. One of these cases was a 22 year old girl with a 4 year old son. We identified a large acetowhite lesion visible after spraying the vinegar. She consented and received cryotherapy. We are so happy that she chose to come into our clinic today. She now has the chance to be spared from a potentially fatal and so easily preventable disease.
The team returned to our hotel tonight tired but deeply moved by the experience of the day. The need for these services in Western Kenya is so apparent, and there is no doubt that our programs will have an enormous impact on countless lives.