HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention for West Africa

At GAIA VF, we have four main objectives: Education, Vaccination, Prevention, and Access to care. One of our initiatives, the HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Initiative, is rooted in all four. 

Though not formally beginning until 2015, work for the HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention Initiative began in 2011. We began a two-fold analytical study in Mali as research for a future HPV vaccine campaign. To provide context, the Human Papillomavirus is responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, and its vaccine is 99 percent effective. Despite this, cervical cancer is the most common cancer among Malian women, and the leading cause of all cancer-related mortalities. Considering this high fatality rate, it is shocking that the results of our study demonstrated that only 8.6% knew that HPV was a sexually transmitted disease, and only 2.7% had ever had a cervical exam. 

It is unacceptable that a country suffering disproportionately from cervical cancer cases does not have a widely-available vaccine preventing 70% of cases accessible in the country. For that reason, in order to combat this inequity, GAIA VF has been working to not only provide access to the HPV vaccine, but also educate Malian women about the importance of cervical screenings and sexual health. 

In West Africa, textiles are often used as a source of communication. The patterns printed on the textiles often convey stories, quotes, and/or morales. In March 2015, GAIA VF launched our unique storytelling campaign, designing a pattern surrounding the importance of the HPV vaccine/cervical cancer prevention. This design tells the story of strong, educated women who proclaim: “I protect myself, I take care of myself, and I immunize myself,” a mantra that is written across images of healthy cervixes. Through integrating the HPV/cervical cancer initiative within the textiles, Malian culture is interwoven with our goals of spreading awareness about cervical screenings and the HPV vaccine. It allows for the topic to be addressed in a familiar manner, raising awareness in a culturally relevant fashion. 

In addition to the storytelling project, our staff clinic are working tirelessly raising awareness. While wearing the HPV cloth, peer educators will lead programs and initiatives in different neighborhoods, while medical staff are responsible for information sessions at our clinics. In terms of media, radio personnel are involved in incorporating the importance of regular screening and the HPV vaccine within their programming. 

GAIA is committed to supplying clinics with supplies to offer free cervical exams and provide access to the HPV vaccine.  An April 2020 study conducted by the medical journal Vaccines reveals that as of now, “neither [HPV] vaccines nor screenings are within the reach of the population in Mali…”, indicating that our work is far from over. In order to continue and expand our work in Mali, please continue donating to not only provide access to the HPV vaccine and cervical screenings, but also work to eliminate the associated stigma. Any amount helps- a donation of $10 provides a cervical cancer screening and printed cloth for 1 woman, and $15 provides treatment for 1 woman with precancerous lesions. Amidst COVID-19 and the extreme political unrest in the country, your contribution goes a long way in helping us expand access to the HPV vaccine, cervical screening, and awareness campaigns. 

While protests against governmental abuses run concurrently with the COVID-19 pandemic, access to healthcare- an already-weak sector in Mali- has become increasingly more difficult. This is especially concerning for the population of Malian women we work with at GAIA VF, especially as it pertains to combatting the high rates of HPV and cervical cancer in the country. 

Cervical cancer is the leading cancer-related fatality amongst Malian women. This is concerning given that the Human Papillomavirus, which causes 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, has a widely accepted vaccine that is 99 percent effective. This inequity demonstrates the clear disparities that exist within global health infrastructure. Unfortunately, these injustices are only compounded by the stigma surrounding the condition, another core reason behind the development of  GAIA VF’s HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention program. 

Since 2013, we have supplied five clinics with access to the HPV vaccine and free cervical screenings. Our most notable initiative, however, is the storytelling project. In West Africa, textiles have been traditionally used as a source of communication, such as narrating different cultural tales. At GAIA VF, we worked closely with women in Bamako, Mali to develop our own textile, focused specifically on HPV and Cervical Cancer prevention. Printed with the words of “I protect myself, I take care of myself, I immunize myself” across an image of healthy cervixes, this project promotes girls to receive the HPV vaccine and women to be screened by cervical cancer. The initiative is unique in that it is inspired by the West African tradition, using a familiar cultural concept to address public health concerns and help eliminate the stigma. 

Another key tenet of our project is increasing awareness. Working with the Malian Regional Health Director, peer educators are trained in the specifics regarding HPV and cervical cancer education. These women wear the HPV cloth to help increase knowledge of screenings and the vaccine in different neighborhoods, lead info sessions, and also collaborate with media personnel (like radio hosts) to foster better understanding of cervical cancer. 

Moving forward, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, your donations go a long way in helping continue our fight against HPV and Cervical Cancer prevention. Raised funds will go directly towards overcoming the numerous global, social, and financial barriers that prevent proper access to cervical screenings and the HPV vaccine. In the United States, according to the  American Cancer Society,  the fatality rate of cervical cancer is 31 percent. According to the HPV Prevention Centre, it is more than double in Mali, with 77% of women dying post-diagnosis. To fight this inequity, please donate to continue funding our campaign to provide the HPV vaccine and cervical screenings while simultaneously increasing awareness and eliminating the disease’s associated stigma.