Establishing women's cancer services in a fragile, conflict and violence affected ecosystem in Africa

Abstract

<h3>Objectives:</h3> The majority of the world's poorest women (income <$1.90/day) reside in fragile, conflict and violence affected countries (FCV), like the Democratic) Republic of the Congo (DRC). Health services in these settings have traditionally focused on immediate relief efforts, communicable diseases and malnutrition. Recent data suggests there is need to widen the focus to include cancer, as its incidence and mortality rates are rising, particularly cancers of the breast and cervix. <h3>Methods:</h3> We used a unique matrix of onsite hands-on training seminars by visiting oncologists and nurse specialists from the U.S. and Zambia, professional exchange programs at Zambia's national cancer center, and wise infrastructure investments to train the local workforce and build the required infrastructure for a women's cancer center in a private sector health facility in Kinshasa. <h3>Results:</h3> Congolese health professionals were trained to perform same-day cervical cancer screening and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions; same-day breast cancer diagnostics; surgical treatment of invasive cancers of the breast and cervix; administration of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Breast and cervical cancer clinics and a chemotherapy suite were developed and outfitted with equipment, supplies and office furniture. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> We forged a novel partnership between oncology health professionals from Africa and its Diaspora, international philanthropic organizations, and an African cancer center, to train the workforce and build the infrastructure for a women's cancer center in a private sector health facility in the DRC.