Cervical Cancer Screening and Early Treatment
Medical Excellence
Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. The majority of those deaths occur in the developing world where the availability of cervical cancer screening is very limited. However, studies have shown that early detection of cervical cancer can significantly impact a woman’s chances for survival.
Heather Marten, MD, is partnering with the Ministry of Health to offer a Screen-and-Treat program for cervical cancer in Zambia using a mobile medical clinic paid for by the youth of the Assemblies of God. The program provides women with a visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA), a useful and economic screening method in comparison tomobile inside costly techniques used in the developed world.
If precancerous lesions exist, and are within certain parameters, they are treated with cold coagulation. A digital camera connected to a laptop allows real time sending of
questionable lesions to qualified physicians at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. The team began screening at Circle of Hope Clinic, a church-based HIV Clinic before going mobile. Funds will help purchase the equipment for the clinic once the mobile unit is on the road.
In order to fund the purchase and set up of a coagulator, computer, and camera in the mobile unit and at the Circle of Hope HIV clinic in Lusaka, your help is needed. The total amount to be raised is $21,800 – with $10,900 to come from a matching grant from SWMC Foundation.
Christian Witness
“In addition to providing women in Zambia with the best possible medical care, I am also looking forward to the spiritual impact my team and I can have. Zambia is traditionally a patriarchal society so women’s health issues are frequently overlooked. As we care for women medically in these communities, we will also have the opportunity to partner with several of the pastor’s wives in the Zambian churches to reach out with the Gospel and disciple women. The impact this medical mission can have of individual lives and the local congregation is amazing.”
~ Heather Marten, MD
Helping Those Who Help Others
Many mission hospitals struggle with minimal resources and outdated equipment. In order to help them serve God to the best of their ability, we are praying that individuals would give to help Dr. Marten and her team purchase the diagnostic pre-screening equipment needed to identify and treat women in Zambia at risk for cervical cancer.
The Southwestern Medical Clinic (SWMC) Foundation has agreed to match each dollar given, up to $10,900, toward the goal of $21,800, to help provide quality, compassionate care and share the Gospel with those who need it most.
If you would like to help support Dr. Marten on her mission, just click on the Donate now button below to make your donation.