Prevent and Detect Cervical Cancer in Guatemala

This past year, WINGS provided cervical cancer screening and treatment services to 4,352 women, a 30 percent increase from 2007! This brings the total number of women who have participated in the Cervical Cancer Detection and Treatment program to more than 22,000 since the program’s inception in 2001.

For many, WINGS’ cervical cancer detection services are the first they have ever had. At one recent WINGS’ clinic, 87-year-old Maria had her first Pap smear. A mother of 12, she encouraged her daughters and daughters-in-law to attend as well. In her own words, she “wanted to be a good example.” Other women go to great lengths to reach our cervical cancer detection clinics. Gloria, 33, walked more than an hour to reach one of our rural clinics, taking time off work to do so. It was worth it; the exam revealed complications and the need for an emergency hysterectomy. Since Gloria did not have the financial resources to pay for the surgery, WINGS covered the cost of her follow-up treatment.

WINGS’ cervical cancer detection and treatment project literally saves lives. Last year, WINGS used cryotherapy to provide same-day treatment to 29 women who screened positive for cervical abnormalities, and covered the costs for another 37 women, whose conditions required more intensive treatment than WINGS could provide at the clinic.

With your support, WINGS will be able to screen even more Guatemalan women for cervical cancer and reduce the number of unnecessary deaths caused by this disease.