When Judy Wanyoike was diagnosed with cervical cancer, fear and uncertainty took over. Accessing care meant long bus rides, financial strain, and difficult decisions. Yet, her story is one of resilience, community support and hope.

“When people hear that you have cancer, they foresee your death. I wish this message to reach other women out there. Cervical cancer can be treated and cured if it is detected early,” says Wanyoike.

The Power of Community Support Through Project ECHO

With support from a Project ECHO-trained community health advocate, Wanyoike survived; today, she uses her experience to advocate for cancer screening so that other women can be diagnosed earlier. Her story reflects the reality for millions of women worldwide, as cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in low- and middle-income countries.

Project ECHO is working to bridge the gap in access to health services in Kenya. The ECHO Model provides a network for health care providers to prevent treatable cancers from becoming life-threatening.

The ECHO Model amplifies the ability for health care providers to prevent, screen, and treat cancer and other noncommunicable diseases. Through telementoring, health care providers learn best-practice cancer care from experts so they can treat patients in their own communities, without referring to specialists. Project ECHO is improving access and empowering local community providers to have a positive impact on people around the world.

Email the cancer initiative team with questions or learn more about Project ECHO’s impact in cancer care by reading our stories.

Featured Image: Patients at Milo Hospital in Webuye, Kenya. Photo Credit: Kabir Dhanji, Burness Communications, May 2025