Evelyn, 44, was diagnosed with HIV in 2005 and was told she had advanced cervical cancer in 2012. At the time, Evelyn was given a 50% chance of surviving. The HIV virus compromises the immune system making it more susceptible to other infections. Women with HIV are more likely to develop cervical cancer if they become infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In Zambia, cervical cancer accounts for over half of all women’s cancers. A nationwide screening campaign began in 2006 and has so far screened 350,000 women through 52 centres. HPV vaccinations are being piloted. Almost 55 percent of women referred to Lusaka’s Cancer Diseases Hospital receive treatment for cervical cancer.
In 2004, I was working as a sales lady for the State Lotteries in Chingola, Zambia’s Copperbelt. It was a good job. My health problems started when I developed a cough which wouldn’t go away. I was told it was TB. After eight months of taking medicine the cough came back but this time stronger. I found I couldn’t work anymore.
The doctor tested me for HIV, which came back positive. This bad news was made worse when I found out that all this illness had seriously weakened my immune system. I was told I needed strong medicine, which would help build me up again. That was in 2006, 2 years before the Government provided HIV drugs for free. I was out of work and had to try and find $10 a month to pay for it.
I come from a large family, 6 sisters and 3 brothers, but I lost my parents almost 20 years ago. They have all been extremely supportive emotionally, financially and helping me with a place to stay while I had tests and received treatment.
