Project Ix Kuk: Cervical Cancer Prevention through HPV Testing and Treatment
In briefAI summary — tap to read
Project Ix Kuk brings HPV testing and cervical cancer prevention to rural Guatemala by training local midwives to educate women, collect samples, and treat precancerous lesions using portable, low-cost technology. The initiative addresses systemic barriers like geographic isolation, language differences, and lack of trust in healthcare systems by centering community health workers who already have women's confidence.
Key takeaways
- Cervical cancer is the leading cancer killer in Guatemala, affecting 26% of women with dangerous HPV strains due to lack of access to testing and treatment.
- Project Ix Kuk uses affordable, portable technology including self-swab HPV DNA testing (97% accurate, $8 per test) and thermal coagulation treatment that can be delivered directly in villages by trained midwives.
- Local midwives and community health workers are the foundation of the project, providing culturally sensitive education, language interpretation, and continuous care rather than one-time interventions.
- The project is designed for sustainability through hospital partnerships, equipment maintenance training, and data collection that serves both individual care and national health policy decisions.
- Rotary clubs worldwide can replicate this model by identifying interested hospitals and clinics, with financial support enabling expansion to other high-need regions in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
About Janet GluchJanet Gluch is a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz, California, with a business degree and pastoral ministry background who specializes in project management and advocacy for women and children's health issues.
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Program: Project Ix Kuk: Cervical Cancer Prevention through HPV Testing and Treatment
Speaker: Janet Gluch
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Project Ix Kuk is a women’s health initiative in Guatemala focused on preventing cervical cancer through community-based HPV screening and immediate care. Working in partnership with local midwives, hospitals, and public health leaders, the project introduces self-collected HPV testing using modern PCR technology and ensures timely follow-up with visual examination and same-day treatment when needed. By centering privacy, cultural respect, and local capacity-building, Project Ix Kuk strengthens existing healthcare systems, reduces barriers to early detection, and helps protect women’s health long before cervical cancer can develop.
Janet has been a dedicated member of the Santa Cruz Rotary Club since 2010, driven by her passion for making a meaningful difference in the world. Her commitment to international service is reflected in 17 humanitarian trips across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, where she has worked alongside local Rotarians to tackle complex challenges such as access to safe water, education, and women’s health. Janet is especially committed to advancing community health for women in developing countries, where resources are often limited.
Retired from a successful career in nonprofit management and fund development, Janet now lends her expertise by serving on several boards. She has degrees both in Business Management and Pastoral Ministry. Outside of her service work, she enjoys time with family, traveling, and expressing her creativity through oil painting.
Members and guests, please welcome Janet Gluch!
To learn more, go to:
To learn more about this grant project, go to:
https://www.ixkuk.org/
To learn more about the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley, go to:
http://rotary.cool
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