Female Cancer Programme South Africa makes Headlines in September - Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

A programme by a Dutch-based NGO to screen Mdantsane women for cervical cancer has yielded positive results, with 2000 women being tested since its launch earlier this year.

A quarter of these had tested positive for the human papillomavirus (HPV) – which can cause cervical cancer – and were being treated for it.
The Female Cancer Programme Foundation (FCPF) has launched the programme in two Mdantsane clinics and in three clinics around East London. The five clinics are the first in South Africa to run such a programme.
 
FCPF area programme manager Sandy Ferreira said according to the Cancer Association of South Africa, cervical cancer was currently the leading cause of cancer deaths in South African women, and mostly affected low-income black women.
She added that the objective of the programme was to create “a world without cervical cancer” by screening risk groups, improving treatment techniques and raising awareness.

Mdantsane resident Ntombizanele Gxalabashe, 37, was one of the 2000 women screened for cervical cancer. She said it was found that she had HPV, and she was treated in less than an hour. “This programme benefits us, especially women who know nothing about these things. Our lives will be changed for the better,” said Gxalabashe, adding that she was due for a second round of screening next week.

Noluntu Ngqayimbane, 42, said she had had abdominal pain, which was why she visited Nontyatyambo Clinic. “I tested positive for HPV and I was treated. I went for a second round; nothing was detected. Now I will go again after two years.” She encouraged other women to undergo screening.

The services are offered free of charge at Nontyatyambo Clinic, Siyabulela Clinic in NU 16, Duncan Village Day Hospital, Ndevana Clinic and the Thembalethu Clinic . Three more clinics in East London will introduce the programme next week.

- By XOLISA MGWATYU — xolisani@dispatch.co.za