Mobile Health for Mamas

CureCervicalCancer

Mobile Health for Mamas

Preventing cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries through home-based self-sample HPV testing and treatment

Kisumu, Kenya

KEN

Nonprofit

Every two minutes, a woman dies from cervical cancer—over 350,000 lives lost each year. A staggering 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where only 8% of women have ever been screened. In this global health crisis, where a woman lives far too often determines if she will live. In Kenya, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, claiming nine lives every day. Without urgent action, annual deaths are expected to more than double by 2040—from 3,200 to 7,200. These grim statistics are driven by a cervical cancer screening rate of just 16%, compounded by a high HIV prevalence (3.7%), which increases a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer sixfold. And yet, cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable through early detection and timely treatment. The tragedy lies in the lack of access— too few trained providers, insufficient equipment, long travel distances, high costs, and social stigma. CureCervicalCancer addresses this inequity by bringing life-saving cervical cancer screening and treatment directly to underserved communities in Kenya. We educate communities, strengthen local healthcare systems, and provide women the care they deserve—ensuring that no woman dies from a disease that is nearly 100% preventable.

Mobile Health for Mamas is Kenya’s first free, comprehensive cervical cancer screening and treatment program that brings care directly to women’s homes and communities. Since 99% of cervical cancers are caused by high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), we use self-collected HPV testing to detect cervical disease early and treat it before it becomes fatal. We train local community health workers to educate and deliver self-sampling kits to women’s homes, using our offline digital app to collect patient data securely. Samples are processed in our solar-powered mobile laboratory, and results are shared with women via SMS. For those who test HPV-positive, we organize community-based mobile treatment outreaches led by CCC-trained healthcare providers. Eligible women receive same-day thermal ablation treatment, eliminating the need for multiple clinic visits. Women with advanced disease are enrolled in our patient navigation program, which offers support through referral coordination, financial aid, health insurance enrollment, and psychosocial care. Our digital app tracks all patient data along the care continuum and allows for real-time program monitoring. Mobile Health for Mamas eliminates the barriers of distance, cost, and stigma—making cervical cancer prevention. more accessible for the women who need it most.

Mobile Health for Mamas targets medically underserved women ages 25–49 in Kenya, where cervical cancer screening coverage remains below 15% and HIV prevalence among women of reproductive age is high. In these low-resource settings, many women may only have one opportunity for cervical cancer screening in their lifetime. Barriers such as limited screening and treatment capacity at local health facilities, poverty, and demanding livelihoods in agriculture and fishing prevent women from accessing preventive care. Our program delivers free, comprehensive cervical cancer services—including self-sample HPV testing, community-based treatment, and referral support for advanced care—directly to women where they live and work. We partner with local governments and healthcare systems to extend our reach into even the most remote areas and integrate services within existing health infrastructure. Additionally, we build long-term capacity by training local healthcare workers—90% of whom are women—in cervical cancer prevention and treatment. These providers gain clinical knowledge and hands-on skills, while also strengthening community trust in healthcare and shifting attitudes toward disease prevention.