Women urged to vaccinate to prevent cervical cancer

The non-governmental organisation “The Right to Care” claims that cervical cancer kills 16 women in the country daily.It has raised the alarm on the high number of women who experience symptoms.

The organisation says a sexually transmitted infection known as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. It says women should make use of government’s free vaccination programme.

The Cancer Association of South Africa’s Lorraine Govender said: “Cervical cancer is a cancer that is highly preventable, and I think what is important for a girl/woman to take note of is that when we say it’s a highly preventable cancer, this virus is transmitted through sexual or skin to skin contact. Currently, the National Department of Health has rolled out a vaccine called HPV, which is rolled out and available for free.”

Story credit: SABC News