Friend,

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. But where you live often has an outsized impact on whether you survive this disease.

People in Malawi face the second-highest mortality rate from cervical cancer in the world. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is working to change that. 

In Blantyre, Malawi, former MSF cervical cancer patient Elida Howa recalls what it was like to receive her diagnosis: “When I was diagnosed, I was very depressed, because I’d heard the disease is really serious. But, even so, I decided to fight it.” 

After her diagnosis, Elida began receiving chemotherapy treatment, but she wasn’t doing well. With her immune system weakened, she was worried about how to move forward—she couldn’t even walk. When the chemotherapy was ineffective, she began receiving palliative care from MSF at home. She responded well to the medication and treatment, regaining her ability to move freely. Her condition improved more and more. After another round of consultations with MSF, Elida received the surgery she needed.

This World Cancer Day, we are spotlighting MSF’s work to reduce the occurrence—and death rates—of cervical cancer in Malawi and beyond. Take a moment to explore how MSF is saving the lives of people like Elida in Malawi and around the world.