HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention for West Africa

In Mali, cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women during the prime years of their lives. When left undetected and untreated, HPV can lead to cervical cancer. In order to prevent these devastating deaths, our HPV and Cervical Cancer Prevention for West Africa Program seeks to educate local Malian communities about the lifesaving properties of cervical cancer screenings, and reduce the stigma around receiving preventative care for HPV. 

There is an HPV vaccine available in tens of countries around the world that prevents HPV strains 18 and 16, which cause most of all cervical cancer cases in women. However, this vaccine is not currently widely available in Mali. Many women are also unaware that with yearly cervical cancer screenings, doctors can detect and treat symptoms of cervical cancer, and potentially save the lives of their patients. 

This program is simultaneously working to inform Malian women about cervical cancer exams and their benefits, as well as reduce stigma around the vaccination for its potential future introduction. The goal of this program is to reduce the amount of deaths that arise from cervical cancer diagnoses. 

The impact and longevity of this program would not be possible without your help. 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.