Authors: Taryn McGinn Valley, Elizabeth White, Alli Foreman, Alejandro Chavez, Tana Chongsuwat, Linda Foxworthy, Madhuri Reddy, Cecilia Arroyave, Kevin Wyne, Rafael Tun, Yoselin Emelina Letona López, Dominga Pic Salazar, Cesia Castro Chutá, Sean Duffy
In San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, many women face barriers to cervical cancer screening. This project trained community health workers (CHWs) to educate women and distribute HPV self-swab kits. Samples were collected at home, tested in a lab, and women with positive results received free follow-up care, including same-day treatment for early cases. From February to November 2023, 132 women completed tests, with 34 testing positive for HPV. An additional 67 women were screened through visual exams, and 23 received treatment. The area showed higher HPV rates than nearby regions. The program shows that culturally sensitive, low-cost screening and treatment can improve access and help reduce cervical cancer rates in rural communities.
Download Resource
Resource Topic: CHW Role, Cancer screening
Resource Type: Evaluation
Year: 2025
Region: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
Country: Guatemala
Publisher May Restrict Access: No