Online Reporter
Johnson Siamachira
IN the quiet settlement of Inyathi in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province, Mrs Sihle Gumpo, a 40-year-old mother, reflects on a life-altering diagnosis.
After enduring two unpleasant rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, she grapples with the weight of her late cervical cancer diagnosis in 2023.
“I wish I had sought treatment sooner,” she says, her voice tinged with regret. For many women in Zimbabwe, the journey to treatment is fraught with challenges, including high costs and limited access to care.
Cervical cancer claims the lives of nearly 2 000 women in Zimbabwe each year, an alarming statistic that translates to five or six preventable deaths daily, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care. This grim reality touches nearly every family, as cancer often strikes parents, siblings, or friends.
Amid this crisis, a beacon of hope emerges: the Colpopen, a portable, AI-powered colposcopy device developed by the startup Medstake.com. This innovative tool aims to transform cervical cancer screening in Zimbabwe, where the disease remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.
The Colpopen integrates point-of-care HPV testing with advanced imaging technology, enabling specialists to analyse images remotely and provide expert diagnostics regardless of location. This approach envisions a future where no woman dies from a preventable, treatable cancer.
According to the 2019 Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, cervical cancer accounts for 22 per cent of all cancers in the country, disproportionately affecting Black women at a rate of 40 per cent. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains is the primary cause, exacerbated by factors such as smoking, HIV and Aids, early sexual activity, and a family history of cervical cancer.
Launched in May this year, the Colpopen promises to expand screening access, particularly in rural areas where traditional colposcopy facilities are scarce. Currently, only 20 per cent of eligible women in Zimbabwe undergo screening via Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cervicography (VIAC) and HPV testing, according to the World Health Organization.
VIAC relies on expensive equipment, often priced over $10 000, which confines screenings to urban centres. With only 200 sites offering VIAC and HPV testing across Zimbabwe, many women remain vulnerable.
Dr Lindelwe Ncube, founder and CEO of Medstake.com, developed the Colpopen during his medical studies at the University of Zimbabwe. “Medstake.com is driving the design, testing, and deployment of this system,” he explains. The Colpopen aims to enhance accessibility for the 67 per cent of Zimbabweans living in rural areas.
“By making cervical cancer screening affordable and portable, we can boost coverage to over 70 per cent, aligning with WHO’s 2030 elimination goals,” Dr Ncube says. He estimates that achieving this target could cut cervical cancer deaths by more than 50 per cent, saving hundreds of lives annually.
The device connects to smartphones and tablets, allowing for high-resolution imaging and real-time consultations with specialists. Priced between $1 000 and $1 500, the Colpopen costs 80 per cent less than traditional colposcopy equipment.
Despite her struggles, Mrs Gumpo expresses relief that her cancer remains treatable at stage 2B.
“I was afraid to go to the hospital,” she recalls. “People told me I’d lose my uterus.” She endured severe bleeding and anemia before finally seeking help.
Her journey through treatment revealed broader issues facing patients like her. Many, including Mrs Gumpo, lack the resources for consistent care, often relying on free medication programmes.
“I sold everything I had just to afford treatment,” she says, her voice heavy with emotion.
Cervical cancer progresses slowly, beginning with pre-cancerous cells that can be detected and removed if caught early. Dr Ncube emphasises that the Colpopen enhances diagnostic accuracy, utilising AI to identify cancerous lesions.
“Now, VIAC is no longer just a nurse’s judgment; AI assists in detection,” he notes.
The rollout of the Colpopen is urgent. Delays could allow more “cancer eggs” to develop untreated. Each Colpopen centre will require at least one trained nurse, enabling specialists at larger hospitals to review images remotely, thereby expanding their reach to underserved areas.
Medstake.com plans to manufacture the Colpopen locally, reducing costs and fostering innovation. This initiative aligns with WHO’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue by 2030, aiming for “90-70-90” targets: 90 per cent of girls vaccinated against HPV, 70 percent of women screened, and 90 per cent receiving timely treatment.
Countries like the United Kingdom enjoy lower cervical cancer rates due to routine screenings, such as Pap smears, starting at age 21. The Colpopen could significantly reduce late-stage treatment costs while improving health outcomes.
The swift approval and rollout of the Colpopen has marked a transformative step in combating cervical cancer in Zimbabwe. By expanding access to essential screening services, especially in rural areas, this innovation holds the potential to save countless lives and move the nation closer to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health issue. Progress like this highlights the vital intersection of technology and healthcare in addressing pressing challenges.
