Cervical Cancer Awareness: Early Awareness, Timely Prevention, Better Protection
Activity Report
Pratidān Program Session
Theme: From Education to Empowerment: Giving Back to the Community
Session Title
Cervical Cancer Awareness: Early Awareness, Timely Prevention, Better Protection
Organized by: Women Development Society (WODES)
Program: प्रतिदान (Pratidān) – From Education to Empowerment: Giving Back to the Community
Presenter: Dr. Kabita Adhikari
Facilitators: Purna, Rabina, Kamala, and Amrita
1. Background
Women Development Society (WODES) launched the प्रतिदान (Pratidān) program under the theme "From Education to Empowerment: Giving Back to the Community." The program provides a platform for young women who have been supported by WODES to contribute to their communities by sharing their knowledge, professional expertise, and life experiences. Through this initiative, WODES aims to strengthen women's leadership, promote volunteerism, and encourage educated women to become active contributors to community development.
As part of this initiative, WODES organized a community awareness session entitled "Cervical Cancer Awareness: Early Awareness, Timely Prevention, Better Protection." The session was facilitated by Ms. Purna Shova Chitrakar, while the technical presentation was delivered by Dr. Kabita Adhikari. The presentation focused on increasing public awareness regarding cervical cancer, promoting preventive healthcare practices, encouraging timely screening, and providing accurate information on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The session was conducted primarily in Nepali using simple and mixed language so that participants from diverse educational backgrounds could easily understand the information. The participants represented diverse Indigenous Nationality (Janajati) communities, with more than 90% belonging to groups such as the Tharu and Newar communities.
2. Objectives
The session was organized with the following objectives:
· To raise awareness about cervical cancer and its public health significance.
· To educate participants on the causes, risk factors, symptoms, and stages of cervical cancer.
· To provide information on HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services available in Nepal.
· To encourage women to seek timely screening and preventive healthcare.
· To create an open platform where community members could discuss reproductive health concerns without stigma.
3. Session Proceedings
The session commenced with an introduction to the objectives of the Pratidān program and the importance of community health education. Dr. Kabita Adhikari delivered the main presentation, while Purna, Rabina, Kamala, and Amrita facilitated participant engagement throughout the session.
Following the presentation, an interactive question-and-answer session was conducted. Participants actively raised questions regarding cervical cancer symptoms, HPV vaccination, screening services, vaccine eligibility, and treatment options. The session concluded with appreciation to the presenter, facilitators, and participants for their active engagement and commitment to promoting women's health.
4. Key Outcomes
The session successfully enhanced participants' understanding of cervical cancer prevention and early detection. Community members gained knowledge regarding HPV infection, cervical cancer risk factors, warning signs, treatment options, and the importance of regular screening.
Participants actively engaged in discussions, demonstrating strong interest in learning about vaccine availability, screening services, and preventive healthcare practices. The interactive format encouraged open dialogue and helped address misconceptions surrounding reproductive health.
The session also reinforced the importance of community-based awareness, encouraging participants to share the information with family members, neighbors, and other women in their communities.
5. Key Educational Messages
A. Causes and Risk Factors
The presentation highlighted that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer and is transmitted mainly through sexual contact. Several important risk factors were discussed, including:
· Early marriage and early sexual activity.
· Multiple sexual partners.
· Weakened immune system.
· Persistent HPV infection, which may remain undetected for many years before progressing to cancer if left untreated.
· Symptoms and Warning Signs
B. Participants learned Signs, Symptoms, and Stages of Cervical Cancer
Participants learned that cervical cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms during its early stages, highlighting the critical importance of regular screening for early detection. As the disease progresses, women may experience warning signs such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, including bleeding between menstrual periods, after sexual intercourse, or after menopause, as well as unusual vaginal discharge, pelvic or lower abdominal pain, changes in urination, and pain in the back or legs in more advanced stages. Dr. Kabita Adhikari also explained the four stages of cervical cancer, emphasizing that the likelihood of successful treatment is significantly higher when the disease is diagnosed early. She described how cervical cancer progresses from being confined to the cervix in Stage I to spreading beyond the cervix and, eventually, to surrounding tissues and distant organs in Stage IV, underscoring the importance of timely screening and early medical intervention.
6. The participants were aware about the treatment
Dr. Kabita Adhikari provided an overview of the treatment options available for cervical cancer, explaining that the primary treatment modalities include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. She emphasized that the choice of treatment depends on several factors, particularly the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed and the patient's overall health condition. Participants were informed that early diagnosis not only increases the range of available treatment options but also significantly improves the likelihood of successful treatment outcomes.
7. Prevention and Screening
A major focus of the session was cervical cancer prevention. Participants were informed that HPV vaccination is one of the most effective preventive measures against cervical cancer. The vaccine provides maximum protection when administered before the onset of sexual activity and is particularly recommended for younger age groups.
Dr. Kabita Adhikari highlighted HPV vaccination as one of the most effective strategies for preventing cervical cancer. Participants were informed that completing the full recommended vaccination schedule is essential to achieve maximum protection and that the vaccine is designed to prevent new HPV infections rather than treat existing ones. Information was also shared on the availability of HPV vaccines through government health services and selected hospitals across Nepal, with government-supported vaccination programs helping to improve affordability and access. In addition, the session strongly emphasized the importance of regular cervical cancer screening, particularly for women who are sexually active. Participants were encouraged to seek timely screening and not allow fear, embarrassment, or social stigma to prevent them from accessing preventive healthcare services. The presenter underscored that early detection through routine screening remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and reduce cervical cancer-related morbidity and mortality.
8. Interactive Discussion
Participants actively participated in the question-and-answer session. The discussion focused on:
· Whether irregular menstruation and abnormal bleeding could indicate cervical cancer.
· Eligibility and effectiveness of HPV vaccination among older women.
· Availability of HPV vaccines in Nepal.
· Risk associated with early sexual activity and multiple sexual partners.
· Whether vaccination is beneficial after HPV infection.
· Availability of cervical cancer screening services at local health facilities.
Dr. Adhikari provided practical guidance and encouraged participants experiencing symptoms to seek medical evaluation promptly.
9. Key Public Health Messages
Throughout the session, several important public health messages were reinforced:
· Prevention is better than cure.
· Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening.
· Early detection greatly improves treatment success and survival.
· Social stigma should never prevent women from seeking reproductive healthcare.
· Every participant has a responsibility to disseminate accurate health information within their families and communities.
· Special emphasis was placed on reaching women living in rural and underserved communities, where access to information and healthcare services remains limited.
10. Decisions and Follow-up
During the session, it was agreed that Dr. Kabita Adhikari would lead the technical presentation, while the facilitators supported participant engagement and coordinated the interactive discussion. To ensure the smooth delivery of key educational messages, participants' questions were collected and addressed during a dedicated question-and-answer session following the presentation. Participants were also encouraged to access HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services at nearby government hospitals and secondary-level health facilities and to share the information gained during the session with their families and communities.
The session also identified several areas requiring further follow-up. Due to time constraints and limited audio clarity during part of the discussion, detailed information regarding the potential side effects of the HPV vaccine could not be fully addressed. Participants expressed interest in receiving additional information on the availability of cervical cancer screening services at local health facilities. Furthermore, clarification is needed regarding the current government subsidy for HPV vaccination and the availability of vaccination services at ward- and village-level health facilities. These issues will be addressed in future awareness sessions and through the dissemination of updated information as it becomes available.