Every year in Kyrgyzstan, only a few hundred women are diagnosed with cervical cancer although the incidence rate is likely much higher. Despite weak diagnosis, cervical cancer is among the top two most frequent cancers detected among women in the country, and is also one of the leading causes of cancer deaths.

With no specific prevention programme for cervical cancer in Kyrgyzstan, Médecins Sans Frontières, in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Health, launched a new cervical cancer prevention programme in June this year. The programme aims to screen 30,000 women over the next three years. It is focused on expanding access to diagnosis and treatment in Sokuluk rayon in Chui oblast. The programme also strives to catalyse support for a Kyrgyzstan-led national cancer screening programme to reduce preventable deaths.

The programme will offer screening, outpatient treatment for cancerous abnormalities as well as treatment of sexually transmitted. MSF will work with the Bishkek Oncological Institute to facilitate advanced testing and treatment, especially for vulnerable patients. Mental health counselling will also be available to accompany women who may receive a cancer diagnosis.

This is MSF’s first cervical cancer screening programme in Central Asia. This programme builds on MSF’s experience in piloting cost-effective screening and treatment of cervical cancer in other countries such as Malawi and the Philippines.