A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit one of Barretos’ mobile units, or carretas, I got to see women in local Monte Azul Paulista receive free mammograms and pap smears. Last week, I was lucky enough to go again, this time with Pablo and our professor/coordinator who was here, Veronica Leautaud. Once again, we headed out to Monte Azul Paulista, however, this time we parked ourselves in front of a community health clinic that hasn’t opened yet. The day was a shade of miserable grey with the sky threatening rain and a frigid breeze passing through every few minutes. Yet, as soon as we pulled up, we were greeted by the warm, welcoming smiles of the healthcare workers who were sitting outside already checking in patients. As the nurses set up the clinics, which included an oral clinic van this time, we got the grand tour. Barretos nurse, Amanda, as well as Caro (who isn’t a nurse but has basically been our tour guide, guardian angel, and adoptive mother), explained the workings of the mobile unit to us. We also had the health care workers explain a little about the healthcare system, what they do, etc.

Above are pictures of the mobile unit truck and oral cancer van.

This trip out really marked a changing point in our internship. While we came to Barretos with a set plan, due to waiting for approval for our clinical trials, we have been left with a little less to do than we had originally thought we would. Also, for our internship, one of the main goals is to try and look for personal projects. Something to do while we are here, to leave behind, to make a small change at the hospital. Past projects in Malawi have included starting patient information databases amongst other amazing things. So after I had spent a month here, in this unbelievable hospital, I began to wonder what thing I could work and leave behind that would be sustainable. The hospital and mobile units have such amazing technology and it has been difficult to find a way we could make an impact. But I found my answer that day at the carreta.

Picture of the sensory sweet for mammograms on the mobile unit. Sorry for the weird color change, the tv screens changed their pictures mid panorama. 

From our day at the mobile unit, we have realized that a massive project for us to both leave behind would be educational materials. And with my and Pablo’s experience with making videos in past Global Health and Senior Design classes, we decided to rise to the challenge and make educational videos as well as infographics, etc.

But what was exceptionally amazing for me was the individual project that developed from this outing. While we were out talking to the nurses, doctors and healthcare workers at the carreta, I had an idea. What if we interviewed cancer survivors, learned a little about them and took their picture. Then these photos and blurbs could then be used for a variety of purposes. They celebrate the accomplishments of the survivors, both in surviving cancer (which is an amazing feat in itself) but also anything they enjoy doing/have done since. Furthermore, the pictures could be used as inspirational tools for those who have cancer now to see that cancer isn’t a death sentence. Lastly, the pictures can be used as educational tools. Many of the survivors are survivors because the cancer was detected early and treated with the amazing care and treatments found at Barretos Cancer Hospital. If these stories are shown to everyday people, it may encourage people to regularly get mammograms or get fishy moles checked out. It may help reduce cancer mortality. And for me? I get to meet patients, practice my Portuguese, hopefully help increase cancer prevention practices, and use my love of photography to capture these amazing people.

 

 

Needless to say, I found an amazing opportunity that allows me to do so many things I love.