Hamda Mukundwa, a 39-year-old mother of two from Kigali’s Nyamirambo suburb, first heard about Rwanda’s new self-sampling programme for cervical cancer at Biryogo Health Centre. The free kits, available at public health facilities and participating private clinics, allow women to collect a vaginal sample and submit it for laboratory testing for high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer. ALSO READ: How far has Rwanda gone in eliminating cervical cancer? At first, Mukundwa was hesitant, having little knowledge about cervical cancer and experiencing no symptoms. Seeing other women participate encouraged her to take the test last December. She tested positive for high-risk HPV and received cervical ablation, a procedure that destroys abnormal cervical tissue to prevent cancer progression. Mukundwa described the experience as overwhelming but ultimately reassuring. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda’s push to eliminate cervical cancer ahead of WHO targets “Although I was scared, the doctors explained the causes of HPV, how it can be prevented, and the importance of early detection. Without screening, I might not have discovered the infection until it was too late.” She is scheduled for a follow-up later this month to assess treatment outcomes. Uwitonze (not her real name), a 42-year-old mother of six from Nyarugenge, also learned about the programme while visiting a hospital. Although she had been experiencing mild lower abdominal pain, she was initially nervous. Healthcare providers explained that the test takes only a few minutes and guided her on using the kit after her menstrual period. She collected her sample in a hospital washroom, a process that took about 10 minutes. Two weeks later, Uwitonze was contacted with her results, which were positive for high-risk HPV. She was treated with cervical cryotherapy, a procedure that freezes and destroys precancerous tissue. “I never imagined that mild abdominal pain could be related to HPV. Screening helped me understand the importance of testing, even without symptoms,” she said. Both women emphasized the need for greater awareness of cervical cancer and self-testing. They noted that free kits remove barriers to screening and encouraged community health workers to continue educating women about early detection. How the programme works The self-sampling kits target high-risk HPV, which can remain in the body for years without symptoms and gradually cause precancerous changes. Women use a swab to collect a vaginal sample at home or in private, which is then analyzed in RBC laboratories. “When results are ready, a healthcare provider informs the woman. Those who test positive are referred for further evaluation, including a pap smear or clinical examination,” explained Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, Director of the Cancer Programme at RBC. The initiative aims to expand access to cervical cancer screening, particularly for women facing barriers to routine facility-based testing, enabling early detection and treatment to prevent progression to cancer.
