By Anne Aloka, Research Assistant – Yala Sub County Hospital

Pauline, a courageous cancer survivor, connected with our team after learning about our cervical cancer screening program through a friend who had recently been screened. What struck her most was the message that early diagnosis leads to early treatment, and that lives are being saved because of this simple truth. For Pauline, whose diagnosis came much later, the contrast was both moving and deeply personal.

Her journey through treatment had been marked by many ups and downs, uncertainty, physical strain, and emotional exhaustion. She recounted how different her path might have been had she received a diagnosis earlier. This realization fueled a new sense of purpose in her: to make sure other women don’t have to go through what she endured. Pauline told us, “If I had this information earlier, things could have been so different.”

What began as a conversation quickly turned into a shared mission. Pauline expressed her strong desire to partner with us as a community advocate, sharing her lived experience to raise awareness about the importance of early screening. Her story carries a raw and compelling urgency that data alone cannot deliver. She understands the stakes and knows exactly how to speak to women who are hesitant, afraid, or simply unaware.

“If I had this information earlier, things could have been so different.”

Thanks to the CATSystem study, which is making it possible for us to reach more women with cervical cancer screening, follow- up, and education, Pauline’s involvement is now part of a broader movement. With her help, we’re not only increasing turnout for screening but also building trust in the system. The study has provided a platform for survivors like her to lead the way in changing how communities perceive cancer prevention and care.

Pauline is not just a survivor, she is a beacon of strength and purpose. Her willingness to turn her pain into a platform for advocacy reminds us why our work matters. By partnering with individuals like her, we amplify not just the reach of our message, but its impact. Her voice is now part of the healing.