Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among Ugandan women, despite being a preventable disease. Women in Uganda also often play a crucial role in taking care of children at home. Therefore, being diagnosed with cervical cancer has several consequences for women's children as well. The goal of this study is to describe the social impacts of a woman's cervical cancer treatment on herself and her children. Participants were interviewed as part of a larger study: ASPIRE Generations. Women were eligible if they: were 18 years of age or older, were being treated for cervical cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), speak English, Luganda, Lusoga, Luo, or Runyankore, and provided informed consent. Overall, 24 interviews were conducted. Participants were an average of 49.5 years old, had between 0 to 6 children, and the majority had a primary school level of education or less. Many women reported that since being diagnosed, their relationships with their partner and friends worsened. Some women reported that they hid their cervical cancer diagnosis because they were afraid of being stigmatized. Women also spoke about reducing their work and the resulting loss of income which created financial challenges for them and their caretakers. Reduced household income caused some children to be withdrawn from school due to a lack of funds for tuition. Women also reported changes to roles in the household, with children often taking on additional responsibilities such as caregiving and finding employment to support the family. This research can help better understand the widespread effects of cervical cancer in Uganda and similar countries. The results can help inform policies and practices related to cervical cancer prevention and treatment that are appropriate for Ugandan women and their families. This evidence will help advocate for increased resources for cervical cancer screening programs, both in Uganda and globally.