Prevent and Detect Cervical Cancer in Guatemala

A report published in January 2010 concludes that using a “see and treat” approach to diagnosing cervical cancer in rural and developing countries could save more than 100,000 cervical cancer deaths annually. The study, published in the journal The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, said that visual inspection with acetic acid, which costs about $2 per test, could help decrease the estimated 300,000 cervical cancer deaths each year, 85% of which occur in developing countries.

This study confirms what WINGS has long known, that providing women with simple and affordable same-day detection and treatment services is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer. This is why, since 2006, WINGS has used the “see and treat” method as its primary method to detect and treat cervical cancer. This past year, WINGS used the “see and treat” method to screen more than 3,200 women, as well as provided same-day treatment to 60% of the women who showed precancerous signs.

The benefits of the “see and treat” method cannot be understated. In Guatemala, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women of reproductive age, with 3.77 million Guatemalan women currently at risk for this potentially fatal cancer. Over 60 percent of female cancer cases attended by the National Cancer Institute in Guatemala are cervical cancer, which accounts for more than breast, skin, ovarian and stomach cancers combined.

With your support, we can help to save lives by ensuring that ALL women in Guatemala have access to simple and affordable cervical cancer detection services. Consider the impact that your donation will have:

• A gift of $28 will ensure that 2 women receive “see and treat” detection and treatment • A gift of $50 will cover the costs of follow-up treatment for 4 women • A gift of $100 will provide 30 women with “see and treat” detection

Thank you for your continued support of WINGS and for helping to ensure that all Guatemalan women have access to same-day detection and treatment services.

Sincerely,

The WINGS Team