As Malawi implements multifaceted strategies to combat cancer, Think Pink Malawi says more needs to be done, noting that current efforts fall short of fully addressing the disease.
As one of the organisations advocating for cancer awareness in Malawi, Think Pink Malawi Awareness Team Leader, Ella Kayira, says one of the key challenges hindering the fight is low public awareness of the disease, which must be addressed to curb the rising incidence and mortality rates from cervical and breast cancers.
“We need to work together as organisations so that our efforts complement each other, not as isolated entities per se, because we share one goal: fighting cancer.”
A Growing Problem
According to a 2024 PLOS ONE research article, “Spatial distribution and characteristics of women reporting cervical cancer screening in Malawi: An analysis of the 2020 to 2021”, Malawi has one of the highest incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer in the world.
The article also reveals that, despite a national strategic plan and the rollout of screening and treatment services, cervical cancer screening coverage in Malawi remains far below the national target.
In the same vein, a research article by the BMC Cancer peer-reviewed journal “Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening in Malawi: A Systematic Review” shows that breast and cervical cancer outcomes and survival rates tend to be poor due to a combination of late presentation of symptoms to healthcare facilities, late-stage diagnosis and other factors.
Commenting on the matter, Ndimoyo Palliative Health Care Nurse, Rex Chinzu, said these outcomes stem from low public awareness of the disease, stigma, misinformation, and misconceptions about cancer.
He has called for unity among the government, ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), NGOs, and healthcare workers to work together in ending the disease.
Corroborating the sentiments, random interviews on the outskirts of Lilongwe city revealed that misinformation is one of the major issues hindering women from seeking cancer screening at hospitals.
Grace Yohane said she has undergone cancer screening but expressed how women exaggerate what happens during the process, which discourages many from accessing the free service.
“The challenge is misinformation surrounding cervical cancer screening. When women are in groups, they intimidate each other about what goes on during screening—for example, saying that they use big machines that hurt so badly, which is not true.”
One interviewee, who refused to be named, said she is always eager to go for cancer screening but cannot because she heard the process is painful, leading her to decide against it altogether.
Despite Malawi implementing multiple approaches to address this growing problem—such as the National Cancer Control Strategic Plan (2019–2029), which emphasizes prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care across multiple sectors.
Cancer incidence and mortality rates continue to rise.
By Trinity Kaphamtengo, Lilongwe
