A future without cervical cancer starts now, but with concrete steps

Every day in Kenya, about nine women die from cervical cancer. Thousands of women are disproportionately affected by this harsh reality, which is mainly preventable but still claims too many lives.

The World Health Organisation reports that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with the highest burden falling on low- and middle-income countries.

Limited access to screening and treatment, gaps in HPV vaccination, and broader economic inequalities continue to drive this disparity.

In Kenya, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, underscoring the urgency of expanding prevention and early detection. Yet cervical cancer is highly treatable when detected early.

Recognising symptoms and seeking medical advice are essential steps. However, the most crucial step is increasing public awareness, because access to information remains a decisive factor in prevention. As a nurse, I have seen the toll that cervical cancer takes on patients and families.

I have met survivors and families who lost mothers, sisters, or friends simply because they lacked timely information or access to screening. Their stories continue to push me to advocate for stronger prevention efforts across Kenya.

The World Health Organisation’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative presents a clear plan: vaccinate girls before they are exposed to HPV, screen women early and consistently, and ensure those diagnosed can access prompt, respectful treatment. Kenya has made encouraging progress, but many women still remain unreached.

Across communities, volunteers and health workers are sparking conversations in homes, marketplaces, and social gatherings, using every opportunity to share accurate, life-saving information. Through my research, I have learned that reaching out, listening to concerns, and addressing misconceptions – particularly those surrounding HPV vaccination—are essential to eliminating cervical cancer. The commitment of these volunteers shows that this effort is not only a medical priority but a collective one.

Across the world, community-driven health initiatives are helping expand cervical cancer awareness and access to prevention tools. Partnerships among governments, health facilities, civil society groups, and professional volunteers are facilitating HPV vaccination, improving screening availability, and supporting the adoption of new technologies – from rapid HPV testing to thermal ablation devices.

In Ghana, for example, six hospitals and clinics across greater Accra, Volta, Western, and Central regions are training health workers to screen for and treat premalignant cervical lesions at the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Centre at a Catholic hospital. These efforts address limited treatment capacity and strengthen frontline providers who serve underserved women.

In Bolivia, community programmes are improving education on cervical cancer prevention, while in Guatemala the rollout of genetic HPV screening technology is enabling earlier identification of high-risk cases. In Egypt, coordinated awareness and early-detection efforts are supporting national plans to scale up HPV vaccination and screening.

These examples demonstrate how multisector and community partnerships – whether involving civil society, volunteers, or health professionals – can help countries move closer to the WHO’s global elimination targets: fully vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15, screening 70 per cent of women by age 45, and treating 90 per cent of women with precancer or cancer.

In Kenya, similar community-centred approaches are expanding access to cervical cancer prevention.

At Matibabu Hospital near Lake Victoria, an innovative screening program using genetic HPV testing allows women to self-collect samples, with results shared via WhatsApp to facilitate quick follow-up and treatment. International partners have supported equipment for this initiative, which aims to screen up to a million women aged 30 to 60 in the region.

Local organisations and volunteers are also leading awareness and prevention campaigns. The Rotary Club of Karen, in partnership with Women4Cancer, promotes cervical cancer education, encourages HPV vaccination for eligible girls, and provides screening access for women of reproductive age.

The Rotary Club of Nairobi Lavington collaborates with health organisations to offer free screening and treatment in underserved communities, including at Mbagathi County Hospital.

At my own club, Nairobi Thika Road, I lead awareness campaigns and educational webinars to dispel myths about HPV and cervical cancer prevention and to support women in making informed health decisions. These combined efforts – sharing knowledge, improving access, building trust – are helping more women access the care they need.

World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day 2025, which was observed this November, reminds us that elimination is within reach. Achieving it requires continued support for HPV vaccination, expanded access to screening, and an environment where women feel safe seeking care without fear or stigma.

The journey to ending cervical cancer is challenging, but it is full of hope. Every woman empowered with information brings us closer to a future where cervical cancer is no longer a threat. I encourage researchers, health workers, community leaders, and families to keep moving forward until every woman is protected.

We can change the course of this disease. Every conversation, every hour volunteered, and every resource dedicated strengthens our communities and moves us toward a future where cervical cancer no longer steals the lives and dreams of women. This is our moment. Let us finish this fight.