Cervical cancer treatment can be a scary and challenging journey, but with the right support, it is possible to overcome the obstacles that come with the disease. Filomena, a patient from Ventanilla, Peru, was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she visited a MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic. Her story is a testament to the importance of follow-up care and access to life-saving treatment for all.
At MEDLIFE, healthcare means more than just providing a diagnosis; it’s about ongoing support and ensuring access to cervical cancer treatment for people who would otherwise face barriers to accessing it. After receiving her diagnosis, Filomena became part of MEDLIFE’s Follow-Up Program, which ensures that patients receive the care they need well beyond the initial diagnosis.
From Diagnosis to Treatment
Filomena’s journey began when she visited a MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic, where she received a screening that ultimately led to her cervical cancer diagnosis. Recognizing the importance of timely care, Filomena was referred to INEN (Peru’s National Cancer Institute), one of the leading cancer treatment centers in the country. The partnership between MEDLIFE and INEN is a perfect example of how collaborative efforts can provide patients with the treatment they need, even when they face financial or logistical barriers.
On December 2, Filomena started her cervical cancer treatment with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Her treatment plan includes 25 sessions of radiotherapy and 5 chemotherapy sessions. This combination of therapies is a common approach for treating cervical cancer, aiming to reduce the tumor size and manage any potential spread of the disease. Filomena’s medical team at INEN is closely monitoring her progress and providing the necessary support throughout this intense treatment process.
The Importance of Follow-Up Care
Filomena’s story emphasizes the critical role that follow-up care plays in ensuring patients receive the best possible outcome. Many patients in underserved communities face challenges in accessing consistent treatment, especially after a diagnosis. Without adequate follow-up care, treatment can become fragmented, and patients might miss essential sessions that are key to their recovery.
Thanks to MEDLIFE’s follow-up program, Filomena will continue to receive support throughout her treatment, ensuring that she doesn’t face any barriers to accessing the necessary care. With the right treatment for her cancer and consistent follow-up, Filomena has a much higher chance of a successful recovery.
Breaking Barriers to Healthcare
Filomena’s journey also highlights the systemic challenges many people in low-income areas face in accessing healthcare. Although she now has access to cervical cancer treatment, the reality is that many patients still struggle to get the care, let alone diagnosis, they need due to financial constraints, geographic barriers, and a lack of healthcare infrastructure and knowledge.
MEDLIFE is dedicated to breaking down these barriers and providing consistent, high-quality care to people like Filomena. Her ongoing treatment is a powerful example of how the right support can change lives and improve outcomes for cancer patients in underserved areas.
A Hopeful Future
With her first chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions successfully underway, Filomena remains hopeful. Her story is not just about survival, but about resilience and the importance of community support. Thanks to MEDLIFE and INEN, Filomena is receiving the treatment she needs and deserves, and is on the path to recovery.
We are committed to ensuring that cervical cancer treatment and other essential healthcare services are available to all. With the right amount of support, follow-up care, and access to life-saving treatments, we can help more patients like Filomena live healthier, fuller lives.
Join us in supporting cervical cancer treatment programs and follow-up care initiatives through MEDLIFE’s volunteer abroad trips. Your support in our mobile clinics and healthcare education programs can make a life-changing difference for people like Filomena. Learn how you can get involved with MEDLIFE’s Service Learning Trips today by filling out the interest form below, downloading our free brochure, or checking out some of our upcoming trips!