October marks World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine a spotlight on the importance of early detection, education, and treatment in the fight against breast cancer. At mothers2mothers (m2m), we are committed to addressing the urgent need for life-saving breast and cervical cancer services across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Malawi, where women face significant challenges in accessing timely healthcare.

Over two years—from January 2024 to December 2025—m2m aims to reach 10,000 women with information on
both cancers through the Sondra Smalley Women’s Cancer Fund by ensuring that women receive timely interventions that save lives and restore health. To achieve this goal, m2m has employed six Mentor Mothers and a Nurse to provide critical education, screening, and treatment services in the Kabudula, Mitundu, Ukwe, and Lumbadzi health facilities and surrounding communities. 

The Challenge: Women’s Cancers in sub-Saharan Africa and in Malawi 

In sub-Saharan Africa, women face an alarmingly high breast cancer mortality rate. According to WHO, breast cancer survival rates, five years after diagnosis, stand at a low 40% in sub-Saharan Africa compared to over 90% in most high-income countries. Breast cancer is also the third most common cancer in Malawi. Malawian women often lack knowledge and awareness of cancer and its risk factors, as well as access to health care and treatment services, resulting in late detection and treatment.  

Compounding this, cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in sub-Saharan Africa, with roughly 110,000 women diagnosed annually. This is a particularly salient issue for m2m’s clients given that women living with HIV are up to six times more likely to acquire cervical cancer, and 19 of the top 20 countries with the highest cervical cancer burden are in sub-Saharan Africa, with Malawi having the second highest incidence rate. These painful and aggressive cancers are taking the lives of too many women, leaving families behind. 

The Solution: Education, Screening, and Early Treatment Through Peer-Led Support and Care 

In Malawi, m2m is leveraging the power of the Mentor Mother Model under the Sondra Smalley Women’s Cancer Fund to combat breast and cervical cancer through prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. By operating in multiple locations, extending opening hours, and creating safe, private, and dedicated spaces, m2m Malawi directly addresses clients’ needs. We integrate these interventions with other critical health services such as reproductive and sexual health and HIV prevention, treatment, and care, enabling community health workers to reach as many girls and women as possible. 

Key components of m2m Malawi’s approach include: 

• Awareness and education: Mentor Mothers provide one-on-one, couples, and group health education on cervical and breast cancer, HIV, and reproductive health. They conduct age-appropriate sessions for girls and young women (15-19 years) on HPV and cervical cancer, linking eligible clients to HPV vaccinations. 

• Cancer screening: Specialist services and integration in routine reproductive health visits for cervical cancer screening. Prioritise vulnerable adolescent girls and women, especially those living with HIV and women over 30. 

• Treatment linkage: Connecting clients to key treatment services for HPV infection, breast, and cervical cancer, including LEEP, surgery, chemotherapy, and palliative care. Identify and refer adolescent girls and women needing treatment for HPV, pre-cancerous lesions, and cervical cancer. 

• Home visits and follow-up: Mentor Mothers ensure clients attend critical health appointments and assess their emotional and physical needs through home visits and regular phone check-ins.  

One of the clients m2m has reached through this project is Janerosa, a 46-year-old woman from Kabudula in Malawi.   

“I have been struggling with abnormal bleeding since January 2023. I believed it was a normal part of nearing menopause, but my symptoms persisted. During a routine ART refill at Ukwe Clinic in May 2024, Mentor Mothers encouraged me to get screened for cervical cancer. The screening revealed lesions on my cervix, and I received immediate treatment from an m2m Nurse. Two weeks later, further complications arose, but timely intervention ensured my full recovery,” shared Janerosa. 

As we commemorate World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is a vital reminder that the fight against breast cancer requires collective action, education, and access to health care. m2m remains committed to empowering women across Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa with the tools they need to protect their health and that of their families. Together, through continued awareness, early detection, and support, we can reduce the impact of breast and cervical cancer and save countless lives. We look forward to sharing the life-changing outcomes of our efforts in the months ahead.