1. COMMUNITY PERPSECTIVE ON MALAWIAN CANCER ACTIVITIES
By Maud Mwakasungula
Women Coalition Against Cancer- (WOCACA)
WOCACA is a women led organization established to contribute towards cancer prevention and control empowering women, men and children through education, training, research, advocacy, lobbying, mobilization, networking ensuring quality care with special focus on women, especially those at grass root level in semi-urban and rural areas.
INTRODUCTION
COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE ON MALAWIAN CANCER ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
Community Perspectives are established through education, training and research by mobilizing and networking with the communities and carrying out a community assessment which varies from community to community but with more similarities than differences
Find if information in a local language
Develop a comprehensive list of how much education or awareness is available, prevention strategies, early detection services or screening services and treatments available
Consistency of education on awareness campaigns in the community
Level of awareness on cancer by the community (gatekeepers & people) and community health workers
Other gaps to be identified are:
Counseling services
Prevention or reducing factors information
Survivor and Support groups
Treatment option
Early detection or screening programs
And many more
Myth that cancer is not curable and that is a disease of the rich or developed countries
COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE:
Health personnel also need to know signs and symptoms of cancer
Cancer campaigns are not consistent and only held usually on important dates
Most believe that is witchcraft and consult witchdoctors
At what point does cancer care start from?
Conflicting messages from stakeholders could be confusing
Counseling services needed- there need for empathy
How can these risk factors be reduced
Most would like to know the risk factors of cancer and if that could be included in the education campaigns
Why get screened if there is no treatment
Cancer screening should integrated into other health services. As a stand alone service many do not access
Patient navigation –nurses and survivors
Patients and guardians should be encouraged to ask the health personnel questions and be able to seek second opinion
Screening services should decentralized to avoid walking long distances
Hidden costs like transport are a hindrance to seeking treatment despite being free
Support and survivor groups
Having a good relationship between doctor and patient has a positive impact on treatment
Prolonged treatment is expensive and drains resources
Consistent awareness and education campaigns needed
Clear and concise messages should be sent out to the communities frequently
CONCLUSION
Cancer care should be part of every community
Capacity building in human resources, diagnostic material, treatment

2. INTRODUCTION
WOCACA is a women led organization established to contribute towards cancer prevention and control by empowering women, men and children through education, training, research, advocacy, lobbying, mobilization, networking in semi-urban and rural areas.
Apart from our focus on cancer WOCACA is also looking at Non Communicable Diseases – NCDs.

3. COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
Develop a comprehensive list of how much education or awareness is available, prevention strategies, early detection services or screening services and treatments available
Finding out if information is in a local language
Other gaps to be identified are:
Level of awareness on cancer by the community (gatekeepers & people) and community health workers
Consistency of education on awareness campaigns in the community

4. Prevention or reducing factors information Counseling services
COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
Prevention or reducing factors information
Counseling services
Early detection or screening programs
Treatment option
Survivor and Support groups
And many more

5. COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE
Myth that cancer is not curable and that is a disease of the rich or developed countries
Most believe that is witchcraft and consult witchdoctors
Cancer campaigns are not consistent and only held usually on important Events
Health personnel also need to know signs and symptoms of cancer
Conflicting messages from stakeholders could be confusing

6. COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE
At what point does cancer care start from ?
Most would like to know the risk factors of cancer and if that could be included in the education campaigns
How can these risk factors be reduced
Counseling services needed- there need for empathy
Cancer screening should be integrated into other health services.
Stigma surrounding cancer …

7. COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE
Why get screened if there is no treatment
Screening services should decentralized to avoid walking long distances
Patients and guardians should be encouraged to ask the health personnel questions and be able to seek second opinion
Patient navigation –nurses and survivors
Support and survivor groups

8. COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE
Hidden costs like transport are a hindrance to seeking treatment despite being free
Prolonged treatment is expensive and drains resources
Having a good relationship between doctor and patient has a positive impact on treatment

9. CONCLUSION
Clear messages should be made available to the communities frequently
Consistent awareness and education campaigns needed nationally
Capacity building in human resource, diagnostic material, treatment
Cancer care should be part of every community

10. THANK YOU & GOD BLESS
THANK YOU & GOD BLESS