Rotary Awards USD 2 Million Grant to Fight Cervical Cancer in Egypt

Rotary International has awarded its third annual Programs of Scale grant worth USD 2 million to the United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt initiative, a significant step in the fight against cervical cancer in the country. The program, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of El Tahrir and supported by other Rotary clubs in Cairo, aims to reduce the number of cases while raising awareness and improving access to preventive care for women.

Cervical cancer is highly preventable, primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and yet it remains a significant health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where screenings and routine HPV vaccinations are limited. In Egypt, less than 10% of women have had cervical cancer screenings in the past five years, and more than half of those diagnosed with the disease do not survive. The United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt initiative seeks to change this alarming reality.

“By increasing awareness and promoting preventive care for cervical cancer, we can save lives and create healthier communities in Egypt,” Amal El-Sisi, a professor of pediatrics at Cairo University and a member of the Rotary Club of El Tahrir, tells CairoScene. “As we gather data for the first time on the HPV and cervical cancer burden in the greater Cairo area, we are gaining crucial insights into the overall prevalence in Egypt.”

Over the course of four years, the program will vaccinate more than 30,000 girls aged 9 to 15, provide cancer screenings for 10,000 women, and launch a public awareness campaign targeting four million people. These efforts align with the World Health Organization's Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, which aims to vaccinate 90% of girls, screen 70% of women, and treat 90% of women with precancerous or cancerous cells by 2030.

By collaborating with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, the Egyptian Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the Sona3 El Khair Foundation, the initiative aims to create lasting change and improve the lives of women across Egypt.