According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is a preventable disease and curable if detected early and adequately treated. Unfortunately, it remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer globally (it is ranked third most prevalent cancer) and continues to be a significant cause of cancer-related mortality among women.

The primary cause of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions is infection with a high-risk or oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) type. There are more than 100 types of HPV, but HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer worldwide.

In Kenya, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women of reproductive health age (15-49 years). About 5,236 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed each year, and more than 3,211 (61%) women succumb to the disease. Additionally, the uptake of cervical cancer screening in Kenya stands at 17%, falling significantly short of the WHO’s 70% target.

Beyond Zero has partnered with the County Governments of Embu and Kilifi to: raise awareness, ‘screen & treat’ and build the capacity of healthcare workers on ‘screen & treat’.