December 1, 2008 Coffee producers lead fight against cancer in
Nicaragua  Nicaragua has some of the highest rates of cervical
cancer in the world.  While vaccines, early testing and
treatment have reduced the effects of cervical cancer on women
in the U.S., the disease is the number one killer of women in
Latin America and kills over 33,000 women in Latin America and
the Caribbean each year.  Though the disease can be prevented
with a vaccine (for human papillomavirus or HPV, which causes
cervical cancer) and is treatable if detected early, access and
affordability are challenges to communities in Nicaragua.  Now,
Nicaraguan women are finding hope in coffee — the country’s top
export. The “Grounds for Health” program brings low-cost
treatment to coffee-growing communities like Jinotega, one of
the country’s top coffee producers. The nonprofit group is
supported by international coffee companies and also works with
Soppexcca, a cooperative of coffee producers in Nicaragua, to
fund and execute testing.  Worldfo