November 7, 2025
News
“When a woman learns she has cervical cancer, the first reaction is fear. It feels like everything around you stops. But when you realise that fighting is possible, fear gives way to hope,” says Anna Todua, a 47-year-old teacher from the village of Kakhat, Zugdidi Municipality, who defeated cervical cancer and now cares about the health of other women.
The Diagnosis That Changed Anna’s Life
Cervical cancer remains one of the major health threats to women both globally and in Georgia. This disease often develops without symptoms and only manifests at a late stage, when treatment is more difficult. However, specialists unanimously agree that this type of cancer can be completely prevented. The two most effective ways to prevent the disease are HPV vaccination and regular screening. It was timely screening that saved Anna Todua’s life.
“In January 2018, a friend who was a coordinator of screening programs in Zugdidi Screening Center convinced me to go for screening. The very first test showed something was wrong. Further examinations confirmed that I had cervical cancer at stage two,” Anna recalls.
The first moments of shock were soon replaced by a desire to fight: Anna told herself she must fight instead of giving up. She immediately started treatment. She faced the difficult period of chemotherapy with emotional strength. She often shared her experiences on social media and encouraged other women through her posts:
“After the first chemotherapy session, I wrote a post: ‘Love is chemistry... and if that’s true, then I’m taking chemotherapy as the love of a new life!’ I wanted to push fear out and inspire hope in other women.”
Today, seven years later, Anna says she thanks life every morning for surviving. According to her, every day is a gift, and since screening saved her life, she now uses her survival to save others.
“Screening is the Most Precious Gift for Women”
The state cervical cancer screening program has been operating in Georgia since 2008 (initially in Tbilisi, and countrywide since 2011). In 2019, Caritas Czech Republic established and equipped the Zugdidi Screening Center, improving access to early cancer detection services for the population of Western Georgia and the occupied Abkhazia region. This important step has brought high-quality screening closer to people’s homes, reducing the need to travel long distances for essential examinations. Yet, participation remains low. Increasing awareness and education are key to improving women’s health and reducing cancer-related deaths.
“In the regions, trust in medical institutions is still low. Often women doubted the reliability of screening performed in Zugdidi. I told everyone that the Zugdidi Screening Center is equipped with modern equipment and staffed by experienced specialists.” Anna explains.
Anna continues raising awareness. Her example encouraged her colleagues to get screened as well, and as she says, that was just “a drop in the ocean” — but one must not forget the ocean is made of drops.
“When a woman cares for herself, she cares for her family, children, and everyone living around her. Therefore, screening is an expression of a woman’s love — for herself, for life, and for the world,” says Anna Todua.
She urges all women, especially after overcoming cancer, not to remain silent and to become examples for others:
“Love yourself, get screened, visit doctors — especially since cervical cancer screening is completely free for women aged 25 to 60 under the state program. Don’t wait for symptoms — delay can be fatal.”
This article was prepared within the framework of the project “Cancer Prevention and Care Improvement in Georgia,” supported by the Czech Development Agency. The project is implemented by Caritas Czech Republic, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), and the Health Federation of Georgia (NGO).
Don’t wait for symptoms — visit a screening center and take care of your health today.
