EDI Fund

Project Lead: Mr. Runcie Chidebe
Organization: Project PINK BLUE – Health and Psychological Trust Center
Target Population: Women living with gynecological cancer in Gwagwalada, Nigeria

In Nigeria, more than 50% of women with cancer experience severe pain, and most of them die in pain. In a country where over 98% of women present advanced breast and cervical cancer at diagnosis, pain is always present; however, pain management is rarely available, accessible, and affordable for women who live in rural and marginalized communities. Pain management and palliative care are crucial for improving the quality of life, yet dedicated pain management units are only in less than 50% of oncology centers in the country. With our proposed initiative, known as “Count Me In”: Pain & Palliative Project (PPP); women living with gynecologic cancer will have a voice for change and improved access to care.

Count Me In is a project focused on using advocacy, training, and pilot intervention to bring pain and palliative care closer to the neglected women living with cancer in Gwagwalada, Nigeria. The “Count Me In” is a patient-centered call by women living with cancer for their voices to be heard and their needs to be included in the care and treatment plan in Nigeria. Through the “Count Me In,” Project PINK BLUE will host high-level policy advocacy meeting on palliative care, partner with the United States Fulbright Specialist Program and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide pain and palliative care training and establish a pilot program on palliative at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

Project Lead: Karen Nakawala Chilowa
Organization: Teal Sisters Foundation
Target Population: Women who have undergone cervical cancer treatment in Zambia

Cervical cancer treatment significantly impacts women’s sexuality and self-esteem compounded by significant physical, emotional and hormonal changes that profoundly impact on sexual intimacy. Unfortunately, in Zambia, there is very limited support for cervical cancer survivors causing distress in their lives, with an increase in divorces among this group.

This project aims to explore the complex issues surrounding sexuality in women who have undergone cancer treatment as they experience a range of sexual dysfunctions including reduced libido, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. The project seeks to empower women to reclaim their sexual well-being, positive self-esteem and enhance their intimate relationships post treatment with the ultimate goal being to improve their overall quality of life.

The project will apply a holistic approach which will integrate medical, psychological and social perspectives to provide comprehensive support. It will involve qualitative research to gather in-depth insights from affected women, focusing on their experiences, challenges and coping mechanisms. This will help inform development of targeted interventions such as counseling services, support groups, information and education materials aimed at improving sexual health and overall quality of life for these women.

Project Lead: Dr. Eleanor Richards
Organization: University of Manchester
Target Population: Endometrial cancer awareness for Black and South Asian Communities in the UK

There are rising rates of, and mortality from, endometrial cancer in Black and South Asian communities in the UK, alongside a lack of awareness and widespread misinformation about endometrial cancer across different ethnic communities.

This project aims to develop an educational video on endometrial cancer symptoms and risk factors, initially co-created with Black and South Asian communities in the UK, which can be adaptable for different populations, languages, and contexts. This video resource will be co-created using focus groups co-facilitated by leaders from community-based organizations. Community partners will review a draft script and storyboard and will be actively liaised with other stakeholder organizations for their input. The quality of the video will be assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, while pre- and post-viewing surveys will measure its impact on understanding of endometrial cancer and include an opportunity for broader feedback.

By facilitating health promotion for the prevention of endometrial cancer, and by addressing barriers to early detection, we hope this work will reduce the disparities in endometrial cancer outcomes at a national, and subsequently international, level.