Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix (the entrance to the uterus from the vagina). Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact.  

In Enugu state, U-TOLF engaged in 100 outreaches to rural communities providing free cervical screening services and treatment to women. Treatments otherwise are usually very expensive and cannot be afforded by the indigent rural women, U-TOLF steps in to close this gap by providing these services for free. 

This intervention stemmed from the discovery that a large number of women are ignorant of this disease and many are unfortunately infected. This discovery was made during our 2016 medical outreaches at the local governments in the state. Our findings show a huge lacuna in the delivery of cancer interventions especially cervical cancer.  

In 2017, U-TOLF therefore set up a cervical screening centre for women at the resident office. Services were offered for FREE. Doctors were sponsored for specialized training in order to provide the best care.  

In 2019, to ensure that this service gets to those in the rural communities, we began setting up screening centres at the various senatorial zones of the state. The centers were furnished with all the necessary medical equipment needed in a centre including a Colposcopy and Cryogun and are located in Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu and Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka.  

OUR STATS 

Total number of women screened from 2016 – 2022 =  912 

• Total number of positive cervical cancer cases  =  247  
• Total number of treated cases  =  156 
• Total number of cases referred for surgery  =   91