Basothos March to End Cervical Cancer

Lesotho has one of the highest estimated cervical cancer incidence rates in the world. It is the most common cancer in Lesotho and is a leading cause of death among women in that small mountainous nation.

In response, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) partnered with the Lesotho Ministry of Health in 2013 to establish Lesotho’s first cervical cancer screening program at Senkatana, a national training center. Through U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) support, EGPAF scaled-up cervical cancer prevention services using a mixed capacity building approach that included training, mentorship, and clinical attachment of health care workers at Senkatana.

In November 2020, the Lesotho government demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the health of girls and women with a march to join the rest of the world in the official launch of the global strategy for elimination of cervical cancer. The Lesotho Minister of Health, Honorable Motlatsi Maqelepo, who led the march, touted the nation’s response to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer.

Due to COVID 19 restriction, the march was limited to few numbers of people comprised of health care workers, cancer survivors, media representatives, and representatives from different partners of the Ministry of Health.

“Ninety percent of girls are now fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15 years, 70% of women are screened with a high-performance test by 45 years of age, and 90% of women who have been identified with cervical cancer disease receive treatment,” said Maqelepo.

“Women living with HIV are far more vulnerable to cervical cancer,” Maqelepo continued. “Their risk of persistent HPV infection is several times higher than women who are HIV-negative. Women living with both HIV and cervical cancer often face double stigma.”

Women living with both HIV and cervical cancer often face double stigma. Honorable Motlatsi Maqelepo, The Lesotho Minister of Health

Addressing the world virtually during the global launch, Lesotho’s Queen, Her Majesty ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso, said that the global strategy for elimination of cervical cancer will assist the government of Lesotho in reducing poverty, sustaining access to education, improving child health, and empowering women adding that with sufficient political will and resources, elimination of cervical cancer is possible, and can be achieved.

She said that cervical cancer mortality also has high economic costs, as treatment costs are overwhelmingly high, and many of the women who die of cervical cancer are the main source of income for their families.

Sharing her testimony after the match, one of cervical cancer survivor ‘Madaemane Tsunyane , 53, said she suffered from cervical cancer symptoms because she was not aware of cervical cancer screening, and lacked awareness about the disease. She thanked the health care workers and the government for assisting her with treatment. She said, she is a living example that if cervical cancer is detected early, it can be prevented.

Upon her healing, she decided to take up responsibilities to educate other women on cervical cancer symptoms and encourage them to go for screening for early detection and treatment.

During the ceremony, the health care workers provided awareness on cervical cancer facts and encouraged women to screen and also provided literacy materials to educate people on cervical cancer.