Cervical cancer is largely preventable, and yet it is fatal for a disproportionate number of women in low- and middle-income countries. Particularly in eastern, western, middle and southern Africa, cervical cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related mortality in women.
Effective prevention
The most effective prevention is vaccination against a common cause of cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a common, sexually transmitted infection. Vaccinating girls against HPV protects them from the strongest strains of the infection which, if persistent, can develop into cervical cancer.
Médecins Sans Frontières has campaigned for many years to ensure vaccinations are affordable and available to all. However, the people who need vaccinations most are often the ones who miss out, as is the case in many of the places where MSF works. By supporting vaccination campaigns for girls in countries where the number of new cases and deaths are highest, we can reduce the number of lives lost to this cancer.
A day in the programme
In late January 2020, Médecins Sans Frontières ran an 8-day vaccination HPV campaign in the Chiradzulu district of Malawi in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. Here, cervical cancer accounts for 40% of all cancers diagnosed in women. The campaign provided vaccinations to more than 8,500 9-year-old girls across 100 schools and 17 health centres.
One of these schools was Lisawo Primary School, in rural Malawi. Here, we give you an inside look at this programme and introduce you to some of the brave girls receiving their vaccination.
MSF health promotion materials in Chiradzulu advertise the upcoming vaccination programme for schoolgirls aged nine, in the local language of Chichewa. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
Tifera, a Médecins Sans Frontières interpreter, assists the girls to get in line as they arrive for their vaccination at Lisawo Primary School. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
Interpreter Tifera explains to the girls what is happening today and answers their questions. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
While they wait, the girls excitedly read more about cervical cancer and its prevention. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
Keeping vaccinations cold and ready-to-use can be a difficult operation. MSF’s team, including pharmacists and logistics staff must coordinate carefully to keep vaccines in the right condition for use wherever they are needed. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
Ivy (left) and Love (right) wait to receive their vaccination. Each girl has an HPV vaccination report and ID card, used to keep track of their vaccination schedule and record consent from parents. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
A young girl receives a single dose of HPV vaccine. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
Vanessa, nine, receives her HPV vaccination. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
Shila, nine, is vaccinated against HPV. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
At the end of the session, the girls head back to class, stopping to wave and play along the way. © Nadia Marini / MSF, 2020
By ensuring HPV vaccination for girls in rural and isolated areas, MSF is helping to reduce the number of girls who may have otherwise been lost to cervical cancer.