In Nepal, cervical cancer is the leading cancer-related cause of death in women, especially in rural areas where there is little knowledge about the disease and ways to prevent it. Since 2018, FCF has been working in partnership with Karuna Foundation Nepal on the Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention program (CCSP) in Sunsari District, aiming to reduce cervical cancer and strengthen the national health system.
The program offers women free screening and immediate treatment using the See & Treat method. Health workers are trained to identify suspicious cells quickly and treat them on the spot if necessary. An important role is performed by Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), who educate women about the importance of screening and accompany them to local health posts or pop-up screening sites in hard-to-reach areas.
Meanwhile, the Nepalese government has asked Karuna Foundation to help set up a new pilot of HPV self-testing in the Dharan region. This will allow women to easily test themselves for HPV. In case of a positive result, additional screening and, if necessary, treatment follows. These large-scale screenings with the HPV self-tests are an important step towards better prevention and early detection of cervical cancer in Nepal.
