Maasai Cultural Norms Meet Pre-Cervical Cancer Screening and CureCervicalCancer (CCC)

Maasai Cultural Norms Meet Pre-Cervical Cancer Screening and CureCervicalCancer (CCC)
The names and other identifying information about these patients have been altered to protect their privacy. CCC has been experiencing extraordinarily high percentages of women who are testing positive for pre-cervical cancer. With rates as high as 50%, we became increasingly curious about the lives of the Maasai women. The lives of the Maasai women can be exemplified by Mary and Naomi. They have an unusual relationship which is quite the norm for the Maasai women. They are both married to the same man who is the chief of their tribe. They also share their husband with two younger women. Naomi is the eldest of all of the women in the tribe and has gained some respect in the community. She wanted to support Mary, and accompanied her to the Mela Kent Cure Cervical Cancer clinic. Naomi said that she did not want to be screened as she has not been sexually active in the past 10 years. When Naomi and Mary arrived at the clinic after a hour and a half walk, they were pleasantly happy to be out of the 90° heat and seated comfortably in the shady waiting area. Unfortunately, Mary tested VIA-positive, but was successfully treated with cryotherapy. After the long walk back to the Boma village, Mary urged her daughter Sara to take her two sons with her to the clinic so that she could also be screened for cervical dysplasia. Luckily, Sara screened negative with the Vinegar Test. The Maasai women did a lot of walking today!