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1,500 women die of cervical cancer annually

    JOHANNESBURG

    About 1,500 women die of cervical cancer in South Africa each year, because many are diagnosed too late when it is not treatable, South African news reports said on Tuesday. “Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer, and the commonest cause of death from cancer among women in South Africa,” said Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang speaking at the launch of the report by the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths on Monday.

    The minister said the government proposed three free pap smears per lifetime with a 10 year interval between each smear, commencing not later than the age of 30 years. “This policy reflects the best attempt to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer within the current resource constraints,” she said.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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