Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Cervical Cancer

latest news & developments
As we mark World Cancer Day on 4 February, we must remind one another that cervical cancer is neither inevitable nor untreatable.
CERVICAL CANCER

Why standardised, evidence-based guidelines are crucial in tackling cervical cancer

Standardised screening guidelines are crucial for meeting the World Health Organisation 2030 targets aimed at accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer

  • Robyn Adams
  • Hennie Botha
5 min read
The impact of the Trump administration’s slashing of over half of South Africa’s HIV and TB projects funded by the US government, transcends reduced access to HIV testing and HIV prevention and treatment drugs. Treatment for diabetes, high blood pressure, cervical cancer, depression and anxiety will become harder to come by too. (Flickr)
ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY

Trump’s HIV funding cuts will also hit diabetes, cervical cancer and depression hard

As government clinics take on HIV patients who were previously treated by Pepfar-funded projects, the treatment of conditions like diabetes and heart disease will come under…

  • Zano Kunene
10 min read
As we mark World Cancer Day on 4 February, we must remind one another that cervical cancer is neither inevitable nor untreatable.
CANCER

World Cancer Day: Close the cervical cancer care gap

Policymakers in particular need to ensure there is investment in healthcare infrastructure, public awareness and education is enhanced, screening programme quality is improved…

  • Yuri Munsamy
6 min read
Thousands of South African women die of cervical cancer, caused by the human papillomavirus, every year. (Envato Elements)
CERVICAL CANCER
Video

Why so many government patients get cervical cancer — and what to do about it

Every year thousands of women die of cervical cancer, caused by the human papillomavirus. Gynaecologic oncologist Langanani Mbodi explains to Mia Malan what can be done

  • Linda Pretorius
  • Mohale Moloi
9 min read
Cervical cancer visualized by sagittal MRI, papillomavirus infection is often the cause. (CAVALLINI JAMES/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
CERVICAL CANCER

Would you screen yourself for cervical cancer at home?

When South Africa introduced self-tests for HIV, far more people knew their status and were put on treatment. The same could happen for cervical cancer

  • Salomé Meyer
8 min read
BREAST CANCER

Fickle funding for women-led startups hurts femtech

It is difficult for startups to get off the ground, especially when they are women-focused

  • Sarah Smit
3 min read
A cancer patient receives treatment.
CANCER

#WorldCancerDay: Getting treatment in Limpopo is like waiting for death

Cervical cancer claimed Nkhanyeleni Vele’s life this past weekend, but with a higher number of cancer specialists on duty, her death could have been avoided

  • Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
6 min read
Why this country is thinking outside the box whene it comes to cervical cancer screening and the HPV vaccine. (UNICEF)
CERVICAL CANCER

Shots, myths & cash: The perilous road to curbing cancer

Before 2011, this country couldn’t prevent cervical cancer let alone screen for it. Since then everything’s changed.

  • Bhekisisa Team
  • Sophie Cousins
14 min read
Emergency: The collapse of cancer care in public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal has resulted in patients having to wait for
CERVICAL CANCER

KZN cancer patients sent home with panados as treatment waiting lists grow

State cancer patients have nowhere to turn, even if their cancer is treatable.

  • Joan Van Dyk
10 min read
‘My mom was too scared to check what was wrong. In the end
CANCER

‘My mom was too scared to check what was wrong. In the end, doctors removed her womb’

Early screening for cervical cancer can be a lifesaver but are nonprofit organisations enough to fill the gap in KZN’s crumbling system?

  • Joan Van Dyk
5 min read
Sars has not met its revenue collection targets for the past two years. (Gallo)
CERVICAL CANCER

Cervical cancer’s deadly contradiction

Despite cervical cancer being the most preventable form of cancer, it is afflicting more South African women than any other kind.

  • Mia Malan
3 min read
The woman, who became a medical student this year after passing an exam at a different university, said she hopes her suit will encourage fairer admissions. (AFP)
BHEKISISA TEAM

Men equally at risk of HPV infection

Boys should also be vaccinated for the Human Papillomavirus, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer, according to a report.

  • Ina Skosana
  • Bhekisisa Team
3 min read
Tricky topic: Thami Mayo is a parent of a girl at Gonyane Primary School who told the M&G about the difficulties of discussing sex with his young child.
CERVICAL CANCER

It’s no breeze to explain birds ‘n bees

The HPV vaccine roll-out is prompting parents to rethink how they talk to children about sex.

  • Ramatamo Sehoai
10 min read
CERVICAL CANCER

Life saving cancer vaccine will be difficult to implement

While HPV vaccines will save lives, target schoolgirls will be hard to reach.

  • Bhekisisa Team
11 min read
CERVICAL CANCER

Schoolgirls to get cervical cancer vaccines from 2014

Government will start administering cervical cancer vaccines in schools from February next year, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced.

  • Emsie Ferreira
2 min read