Living on the northern outskirts of the city of Ouagadougou, Ramata Sanga is a mother of three who runs a small tattoo business. Ten years ago, she lost her mother to cervical cancer. In Burkina Faso, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer. In 2022, 988 new cases and 775 deaths were recorded (that is about two deaths per day).  In 2023, 59,628 women benefited from cervical cancer screening (Statistical Yearbook 2023).

One year ago, Ramata attended a community awareness session about the prevention of cervical cancer. Conducted by a community health worker through Jhpiego, she learned more about cervical cancer and even brought a self-sample kit home with her to use in the privacy of her own home. She was determined to take steps to protect herself.

"This was my first time [testing for cervical cancer]. I never thought it would be this simple,” said Ramata. “I did it to avoid the suffering and tragedy that my late mother endured.”

Ramata gave her sample to a community health worker, who then took it to the health center so it could be sent to the laboratory. Once the results were in, a health worker brought them to Ramata at her home, taking the time to carefully explain the results. Ramata tested negative for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), giving her reassurance and confirming that she was free from early signs of cervical cancer.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and funded by Unitaid, the Scale Up Cervical Cancer Elimination with Secondary Prevention Strategy (SUCCESS) Project aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer by improving access to diagnostic services and precancer treatment in six regions of Burkina Faso.

To make testing, receiving test results, and follow-up as easy as possible for women, SUCCESS strengthens community access efforts by working with health workers to bring test results directly to their clients at home. If a test is positive, the client is referred to a health center for examination of precancerous lesions and treatment by thermal ablation, if necessary. If a test is negative, clients receive additional counseling and are encouraged to return for a follow-up appointment in five years.

“I lived in fear whenever I heard the word cancer,” said Ramata. “It made me uncomfortable and sick. But when I got the results from the first test, I felt free and whole.”

Strengthened by the clear benefits of early detection, Ramata is confident about her health, her future, her business, and the well-being of her family.

As SUCCESS’s technical assistance lead in Burkina Faso, Jhpiego promotes a community-based approach to self-sampling for HPV testing. This helps increase the screening rate for precancerous lesions of the cervix and lessens the occurrence of cervical cancer, a preventable disease. As of December 2025, SUCCESS has helped 3,372 women self-sample in their communities.

Ramata has no shortage of reasons to be grateful for innovations in health care for women.

“Treatment [for cervical cancer] is costly and time-consuming—often beyond what many women and their families can afford,” said Ramata. “The SUCCESS Project gives us a chance to prevent cervical cancer. When I am healthy, the income from my tattoo business allows me to support my husband and contribute to our children’s education.”

Community-based self-sampling reduces certain barriers to care that women often face, such as long travel distances and fear. “When women see the benefits and interact regularly with community health workers, their confidence grows,” said Dr. Linda Traore, Project Manager for SUCCESS/Jhpiego in Burkina Faso. “The relationship between the health worker and the community is essential to encouraging more women to get screened and take control of their health.”

Ramata’s experience illustrates the real impact of accessible health initiatives like SUCCESS in addressing cervical cancer. By empowering women with knowledge and reducing barriers to screening, this preventable disease can be detected early, leading to better health outcomes for women and their families.

Souleymane Zare is a communications specialist for Jhpiego in Burkina Faso. Joan Nduta, Senior Communications Officer for the Africa Region, contributed to this story.

Tracey Shissler, the SUCCESS/Jhpiego Program Director, reviewed this story.