HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention for West Africa

In Mali, cervical cancer is the most common and deadliest cancer among women. Yet it is also preventable. 

Since 2011, GAIA Vaccine Foundation (GAIA VF) has been working to reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Mali through its HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program. Our approach combines community-based research, medical staff training, and public education. We have:

·       Conducted surveys on knowledge and attitudes toward HPV and cervical cancer.

·       Trained health personnel in clinics across Commune I of Bamako on HPV prevention, screening, and treatment.

·       Partnered with community health workers (CHWs) and women’s associations to deliver outreach sessions that raise awareness among women and girls.

Our program seeks to reduce the mortality rate by equipping women with life-saving knowledge and access to care. In Mali, however, limited healthcare infrastructure means most women cannot access affordable screening or treatment. GAIA VF bridges this gap by offering free cervical cancer screening and treatment to low-income women.

We look to our incredible GAIA Vaccine Foundation community to join us in this life-saving work.  

·   A donation of $15 covers the full treatment for one woman with precancerous lesions—potentially saving her life.

·    A donation of $25 provides supplies for cervical cancer screenings for five women, protecting their long-term health.

·    A donation of $100 covers the monthly salary of a doctor performing screenings—giving countless women a second chance at life.

With your support, we can reach even more young women in Mali, equipping them with the knowledge and care they need to prevent cervical cancer. Together, we can turn education into prevention—and prevention into survival.

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Malians experience a disproportionately high rate of cervical cancer. More often than not, these diagnoses are the result of untreated HPV, which develops into cervical cancer. This progression is due to lack of access to HPV vaccinations, healthcare, and other preventative measures. The two strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cervical cancer, strains 16 and 18, can be prevented by a vaccine that has already been approved in 125 countries. Unfortunately, developing countries such as Mali do not have access to these vaccines. While this form of preventative care is not yet available in Mali, our HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention for West Africa Program seeks to provide comprehensive care with the hopes of lowering the number of cervical cancer affected women. 

The goal of the HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention for West Africa Program is to encourage annual cervical cancer screenings through education. In Mali, very few women know of the health benefits of cervical cancer screenings. These screenings, administered once a year, allow women to stay informed on their personal health, and make informed medical decisions. The goal of this program is to raise cervical cancer screenings rates by educating local Malian communities. The more women understand the value of undergoing these screenings, the more equipped they are at making the most informed decisions for their bodily autonomy. 

With the hope of expanding this valuable program to serve more women in Mali, we look to our incredible GAIA Vaccine Foundation community for support. With a donation of only $15, you would be providing the entire treatment to one woman with precancerous lesions- potentially saving her life. With a donation of $25, you would be providing supplies for cervical cancer screenings for five women, making an extraordinary impact on their long term health journeys. With a generous donation of $100, you would be covering the salary of one doctor providing cervical cancer screenings for an entire month- potentially giving their patients a second chance at life. We are extremely appreciative of your continued generosity as we continue our mission of reducing the incidence of infectious disease in Mali.

Links:

• Check out our Facebook page!
• Find our website here!
• Check out our Instagram!