On the evening of September 18th, 2024, the #HerReasonForBeing X Space series hosted a vital discussion on the Role of Communication in the fight against Stigma and Misinformation surrounding Cervical Cancer. Moderated by Ms. Valerie Aura, this session brought together a panel of experienced professionals and survivors to explore how effective communication strategies can impact public perception, encourage early detection, and reduce the stigma associated with cervical cancer.
Valerie Aura opened the space by underscoring the significance of communication in addressing cervical cancer, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. She pointed out that cervical cancer is not only a healthcare issue but also a social one, deeply intertwined with stigma and misinformation. “Effective communication plays a crucial role in raising awareness, encouraging regular screening, and breaking down the barriers of stigma,” she stated, setting the tone for the evening’s discussions.
Ms. Salome Kwenda, a cervical cancer survivor and a vocal voice of survivors at Being Africa took the lead in describing what stigma looks like in the context of cervical cancer. “It’s a condition many women find too shameful to share,” she said, pointing out that the stigma begins with self-stigma, compounded by cultural taboos around discussing gynecological health. “In our society, anything below the belt is considered a taboo, and this exacerbates the fear and shame women feel,” Salome explained. “As a survivor, I’ve faced firsthand the stigma that comes with a cervical cancer diagnosis,” Salome shared, noting how the stigma often starts with the individual and extends to family and community settings.
She highlighted the emotional and financial toll this stigma takes on women, particularly those whose partners abandon them following a diagnosis. “Very few women who have gone through this condition are still living with their spouses,” she noted, sharing how the stigma often isolates women from their families and communities.
Salome further explained how stigma can act as a deterrent to early screening and treatment. “Many women are embarrassed to go for screening, considering it an invasive procedure,” she shared. In addition to embarrassment, fear of the unknown and financial concerns also prevents women from seeking care. Sally applauded recent advancements in self-testing kits, which promise to make screening more accessible and less invasive for women.
Achieng Otieno, Mr. a digital communications expert echoed Salome’s sentiment, adding that cervical cancer’s association with death and promiscuity continues to fuel stigma. “People still associate cervical cancer with promiscuity, and that creates social barriers for patients to seek help,” he said, stressing the need for accurate, culturally sensitive communication strategies to address these misconceptions.
Achieng highlighted how community-level engagement is key to dispelling myths and encouraging women to seek screening and treatment. He emphasized the need for culturally sensitive communication strategies tailored to specific audiences. “It’s important to understand the cultural barriers that might prevent women from getting screened,” Achieng said, citing religious beliefs, social norms, and financial constraints as common obstacles.
Achieng also highlighted the role of social media in reaching a wider audience, particularly younger people who might not otherwise engage with traditional health messaging. He advocated for using social media platforms to share success stories, educational content, and reminders about the importance of regular screenings.
Building on that, Ms. Nancy Okenagwa, a communications specialist at the Kenya Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO), offered insights into developing a communication strategy that resonates with the target audience. She outlined several key steps:
- Understand the Problem: Before crafting any message, it’s essential to understand the problem fully. Why are women still experiencing stigma around cervical cancer? What cultural, social, or financial barriers exist?
- Identify the Target Audience: Are the messages directed at women, families, healthcare providers, or communities? Knowing the audience helps tailor the message more effectively.
- Tailor the Message: Messages should resonate with the audience’s values, beliefs, and daily realities. This means addressing myths like the association of cervical cancer with promiscuity, and sharing hopeful stories of survival.
- Choose the Right Channels: Once the message is clear, choosing the best communication channels is critical. In some cases, social media is effective; in others, traditional methods like community barazas (public meetings) may be more appropriate.
Nancy also stressed the importance of continuously evaluating the strategy to ensure the message is being received and understood. “It’s a process,” she said, “and sometimes you have to go back and adjust based on the response from your audience.”
Salome pointed out that the official statistic of nine women dying daily from cervical cancer in Kenya likely underestimates the true figure. She expressed concern that many deaths in rural areas, where women may seek alternative treatments or avoid formal medical facilities due to financial barriers, are not captured in hospital data. “The numbers are likely much higher because the data doesn’t account for women who die at home, after seeking prayers or herbal treatments,” Salome noted.
This gap in data presents a challenge in understanding the full scope of the cervical cancer epidemic in Kenya. Salome highlighted the need for more localized research to provide an accurate picture of how many women are dying from cervical cancer, particularly in rural and underreported areas. She stressed that effective strategies for prevention and intervention must be based on a solid understanding of the extent of the problem.
Another key strategy in combating cervical cancer and stigma is leveraging the power of storytelling. As all the panelists shared, cancer survivors’ stories resonate with others and provide a human touch, inspiring women to go for screening or seek treatment. The personal accounts of overcoming cervical cancer show that it is survivable, offering hope to others. These stories have been instrumental in motivating community members to take preventive measures and spread awareness.
One of the most effective ways to address the gaps in media engagement and ensure proper dissemination of cervical cancer information is by building partnerships with media champions. Achieng highlighted the need for public health advocates to form alliances with media professionals who understand the importance of the issue and are willing to support awareness campaigns. This approach helps overcome the commercial limitations that often restrict media coverage for such topics.
He also stated that, community media, including local radio and TV stations, is another underutilized avenue that could greatly enhance outreach. These platforms have the potential to reach specific audiences, especially in rural and underserved areas, where cervical cancer awareness may be lacking.
In conclusion, the discussion provided a comprehensive look at how communication can be used as a tool in the fight against cervical cancer stigma. The personal testimonies and professional insights from the panelists made it clear that stigma remains a significant barrier to early detection and treatment. However, through culturally sensitive communication strategies, engagement with community leaders, and partnerships with media professionals, advocates can counter misinformation and create a more supportive environment for women.
The power of storytelling, particularly from survivors, plays a critical role in inspiring others and breaking down cultural taboos. Additionally, addressing gaps in data collection, particularly in rural areas, is essential to formulating effective prevention and intervention strategies.
As the fight against cervical cancer continues, communication remains a cornerstone in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring that more women have access to life-saving screening and treatment.