Cervical cancer Awareness Sessions, VIA Screenings and CBE tests conducted to detect cancer in rural women
by Iffat Ara Sharmeen,
February 3, 2025
January is recognised as the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month by the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the American Cancer Society (ACS). Subsequently, Friendship’s Health sector participated in nationwide initiatives and raised awareness on women’s health in the most marginalised areas of the country.
Cervical and breast cancer remains to be among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Bangladesh. As the world observed the occassion this January, Bangladesh declared 19 to 25 January 2025 as the ‘Cervical and Breast Cancer Awareness Week’, to highlight the urgent need for awareness and early detection of both cancers in Bangladesh. Under this year’s theme ‘Know the Harmful Virus: HPV’ (Human Papillomavirus), Friendship advocated for cancer awareness among women from remote, rural, river-island communities and also commemorated the month with various activities.
Friendship’s Health sector officials participated in a high-level meeting hosted by ideSHi (Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives) which brought together public health experts, government officials, and women’s organisations. They discussed the critical role of HPV and vaccination and screening for prevention against cervical and breast cancer in line with the theme. They also discussed promoting the 90-70-90 strategy for eliminating cervical cancer among women. Additionally, Friendship joined the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in a rally to advocate for cancer awareness.
Friendship conducted awareness sessions where 114 women from marginalised communities participated to learn more about cervical and breast cancer. Friendship Community Medic-aides (FCM) conducted on-site early detection screenings. 64 women took VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) test and clinical breast examinations (CBE). Out of the 64 women, 2 tested positive for cervical cancer and are currently in process for treatment. These efforts underscore Friendship’s dedication to bridging healthcare gaps for marginalised communities, as well as saving lives by combining awareness, accessible healthcare, and preventative action. Through this work, they are driving change, fostering health equity, and empowering people in some of Bangladesh’s most remote areas.
Saving Lives in Hard-to-Reach Areas
Friendship has always been at the forefront of providing critical healthcare services in the most isolated communities, especially women and girls, who are more removed from basic healthcare services than most and as such more vulnerable to negative health outcomes. Marginalised women often face barriers to proper medical care due to logistical, financial, and social challenges, making timely detection of cervical cancer difficult despite it being treatable. The PRESCRIP-TEC project, implemented in Bangladesh from 2021-2024 by Friendship and icddr,b, aimed to improve this by increasing participation in cancer screening from 6% to 90%.
Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the sexually transmitted HPV, and prevention and early screening are key. PRESCRIP-TEC focused on community education as a crucial part of prevention. However, the VIA test and GeneXpert machine used for screening require both expertise and resources, which is where Friendship and icddr,b’s experience in rural healthcare and culturally sensitive outreach played a key role. This way, Friendship was able to contribute to and impact women’s health substantially throughout the country. Friendship also regularly supports the national campaign of vaccinating women and girls against HPV.
