Rwanda: Early detection is essential for improving cancer treatment outcomes скачать в хорошем качестве

Rwanda: Early detection is essential for improving cancer treatment outcomes

Oprah*, a 48-year-old mother of five, is a Burundian refugee who was displaced from her country following conflicts in 2015 and has been living with her husband and children in one of the refugee camps in Rwanda ever since. She previously worked as a teacher at the Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) in the camp until 2025, when, during a cervical cancer awareness campaign, Oprah* visited Save the Children’s Health Centre in the camp for a screening. She was diagnosed with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, and was referred to the district hospital for further examination. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors collected tissue samples from her cervix and sent them to Butaro Hospital for microscopic laboratory examination. After two months, the results confirmed that Oprah* had cervical cancer. The cancer was also confirmed to be Stage 2 -cervical cancer. The illness had caused severe pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding, eventually preventing her from attending work regularly. With support from Save the Children Rwanda, in partnership with UNHCR, PRM, and the Humanitarian Fund, Oprah was referred for treatment, which included comprehensive therapy, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy for 28 days at Kanombe Military Hospital. Three months after completing her treatment, clinical examinations and scans showed no signs of active disease. As a result, Oprah*’s health has significantly improved; she no longer experiences pelvic pain or bleeding and has resumed her teaching role at the ECD within the camp. Save the Children in Rwanda, with support from BPRM, UNHCR, and the Humanitarian Fund, conducts regular cancer screening sessions in refugee camps. These screenings play a critical role in the early detection of common cancers. The program offers screening for breast and cervical cancer among women and prostate cancer among men. Early detection is essential for improving treatment outcomes, as cancer treatment can be costly due to advanced therapeutic methods. Through this initiative, an estimated 15–20 patients with various forms of cancer benefit each year from early diagnosis and treatment support provided by Save the Children and its partners