…Experts Call for Breaking Barriers in Stigma, Access, and Education

By Chioma Obinna

As the world marks International Women’s Day, 4 Communities by Communities (4CbyC) is spotlighting the resilience of women battling cervical cancer. Their stories are not just about survival but also courage, leadership, and the crucial role of community support in combating this preventable disease.

For Ene, cervical cancer became a painful reality after the loss of her aunt, Evelyn, and the deteriorating health of her mother. Living in Awo-Kajola, her family once shared joyous evenings, but Evelyn’s sudden passing changed everything. As her mother’s condition worsened, Ene feared their family was cursed.

Her perspective changed when she visited the One-Stop Shop for Health and met Funke, a clinician who offered care and reassurance. Funke explained that cervical cancer—not a curse—was responsible for her mother’s illness. Testing confirmed her worst fears: Ene’s mother had Stage 3 cervical cancer. Overwhelmed, Ene asked, “Will she make it? Will she live to see my graduation? My wedding?”

Funke assured her that treatment was available and also arranged for Ene and her younger sister, Blessing, to receive the HPV vaccine as a preventive measure. “We are not cursed,” Funke reminded her. “This is about healthcare gaps, not fate.”

Jennifer’s journey with cervical cancer began in 2013 with symptoms of severe itching, open sores, and abnormal bleeding. Despite seeking medical help, she was misdiagnosed multiple times. By 2016, a Pap smear incorrectly suggested she was cancer-free, delaying critical treatment. A biopsy later confirmed cervical cancer, but by then, it had spread.

Financial constraints and broken hospital radiotherapy machines forced Jennifer to turn to herbal remedies, worsening her condition. By the time the SaliHoe Foundation intervened, her cancer had progressed to Stage IV. Despite receiving palliative care, Jennifer passed away in 2020 after a painful struggle.

Her tragic story underscores the urgent need for early detection, trained healthcare workers, and accessible medical resources. Had she received timely and accurate screenings, she might have survived.

To prevent more stories like Jennifer’s, organisations such as the SaliHoe Foundation are leading the charge by providing free cervical cancer screenings, treatment, and education. Their campaigns, delivered in local languages, aim to eliminate stigma and encourage early detection.

Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools in cervical cancer prevention. Awareness initiatives like “Know Her, Save Her” leverage social media to educate women on HPV vaccines, self-examination, and survivor experiences. Digital platforms such as FemmeHealth also connect women to vital resources, ensuring accessibility regardless of location.

Online health services now facilitate Pap smears and mammograms, while interactive digital campaigns foster safe spaces for women to share their stories and seek support. Initiatives like Pinktober celebrate survivors as beacons of hope, inspiring more women to take control of their health.

The Directors of 4CbyC—Professor Juliet Iwelunmor (Washington University in St. Louis), Professor Joe Tucker (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), and Professor Oliver Ezechi (Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos)—emphasize that while the road ahead is long, continued advocacy, improved healthcare access, and early detection can save lives.

On this International Women’s Day, the courage of women like Ene and Jennifer serves as a rallying call for global change. “The fight against cervical cancer is not just about health; it’s about dismantling stigma, improving access, and prioritizing education. Through collective action, we can create a world where no woman dies from a preventable disease.”