PREVENTING SKIN CANCER

2021 so far

By Standing Voice

June 10^th, 2021

Eight years ago, Standing Voice launched its Skin Cancer Prevention Programme with three small clinics in northern Tanzania. Today, in partnership with the Pierre Fabre Foundation and the Regional Dermatology Training Centre, the programme delivers comprehensive dermatological healthcare to 40% of the national population of people with albinism in Tanzania, and has successfully expanded into Malawi. Across both countries, we are operating a network of 94 clinical sites, reaching thousands of people with albinism and their families. Endorsed as best practice by the United Nations, the programme is the largest and most comprehensive effort to prevent skin cancer among people with albinism ever to be implemented in Africa.

So far this year, our programme has served 1,838 patients across nine regions of Tanzania: Mara, Shinyanga, Geita, Kagera, Katavi, Kigoma, Tabora, Dar Es Salaam and Mwanza. Every patient has received specialist skin examination, sun protection education, and cryotherapy or referral for further treatment where necessary. We have distributed over 6,312 sun-protective products, including sunscreen and clothing.

In Malawi, we have served 435 patients across four districts so far in 2021. In addition to delivering dermatological healthcare, we have conducted a pilot of our new electronic data collection system at our clinics in Malawi. The new system will strengthen patient care and significantly expand our ability to monitor and evaluate the impact our programme is having. Following this successful pilot in Malawi, we expect to soon be using the new system across all of our clinics in both Tanzania and Malawi.

In partnership with the Wellcome Trust, Standing Voice has continued our work in Tanzania this year to improve the engagement of people with albinism and their healthcare providers in research on albinism and skin cancer. In March, workshops took place at our training centre on Ukerewe Island where 20 participants came together to share their experiences of healthcare and explore their understanding of skin cancer through creative representations like role play and performance. With a follow-up workshop scheduled for July, we’re eager to see how these artistic reflections continue to develop.

To combat sun damage in infants and support new parents of babies with albinism, we have also launched a brand new series of workshops targeting mothers and babies impacted by albinism in Tanzania. The first two sessions, held in Mwanza in March and Simiyu in May, brought together 27 women to gain knowledge, share experience, and reflect on their challenges and aspirations, both as women and as mothers of babies with albinism. We're excited to see how this project continues, and inspired by the solidarity these women have already begun to find through one another.

It’s been a busy start to 2021 for our work in skin cancer prevention. As we look forward to the second half of the year, we’re determined to continue supporting thousands of people with albinism to manage their dermatological health and find comfort, and safety, in their own skin.