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Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Common cancer can be prevented

27 September 2022 | Story Jóhann Thormählen | Photo iStock

Cervical cancer awareness ribbon — Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is observed in September in South Africa to encourage women to go for screening to prevent it.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in South Africa, and many die from it each year – but it can be prevented.

According to Dr Arina Meyer, medical practitioner in Kovsie Health at the University of the Free State, this is one of the reasons why it is important to be informed, take precautions, and raise awareness about the disease.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is observed in September in South Africa with the aim of encouraging women to go for screening to prevent it.

Although medical statistics paint a bleak picture, Meyer says there is hope. “It is important to know that cervical cancer can be prevented. And when it is diagnosed early, it can be treated.”

Statistics and causes

According to her, figures show the occurrence of cervical cancer to be between 22,8 and 27 per 100 000 women in South Africa.

“More than 5 700 new cases are reported each year, as well as more than 3 000 deaths. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer – after skin cancer – in South Africa.”

Meyer says when one look at these numbers, it is important to commemorate Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, as women need to be informed about their annual check-up, possible symptoms, and signs of the cancer.

Most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact. Therefore, the HPV is seen as a sexually transmitted disease.

“There are different types of HPV. Some cause cervical cancer and other genital warts. One can develop one or both conditions, depending on the type of virus you have,” says Meyer.

Prevention and reducing the risk

According to her, preventative action is the best method. Going for a cervical screening every year when you become sexually active, such as a Pap smear or Pap test, will help in the early detection and removal of abnormal cells.

There is also a vaccine for protection against HPV, which is available from the age of nine. Meyer says there are two vaccines in South Africa.

“By getting the vaccine early, before any sexual activity, the spread of HPV – and therefore cervical cancer – can be prevented. Up to 90% of cancers can be prevented.

“Unfortunately, if someone has already been infected by the HPV, it cannot be treated by the vaccine.”

The UFS medical practitioner says the best ways to reduce the risk of cervical cancer are to go for an annual Pap smear, a follow-up after an abnormal test result, the vaccine, safe sex, and to stop smoking.

News Archive

Access meets quality in UFS-Varsity College partnership for law degree

2012-07-30

At the event were, from the left: Mr Frank Thompson, CEO of ADvTECH, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, and Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS.
Photo: Johan Roux
30 July 2012

The University of the Free State (UFS) and Varsity College this week officially launched a partnership whereby the university’s Faculty of Law will offer a four-year Bachelor of Law qualification through the UFS School of Open Learning on eight Varsity College campuses nationwide. This new degree will be offered as early as 2013.

This is the fulfilment of a dream, said Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the university. He was one of the speakers at the event that was attended by staff members and management from the, Faculty of Law, the university’s South Campus, Varsity College and ADvTECH.

The UFS Faculty of Law is one of the oldest and most distinguished faculties of law in South Africa, and has a close association with several overseas universities which ensures that the institution is internationally recognised.

“I am very positive and enthusiastic about this new partnership. We want to make this an enriching experience for staff and students from both the university as well as Varsity College,” Prof. Henning said.

The CEO of ADvTECH, Mr Frank Thompson, said he is overjoyed about the project and its potential. Varsity College is a brand of the ADvTECH Group, a JSE listed company invested in human capital.

“This is a new beginning for Varsity College and the UFS. Learning together, the slogan for this project, is very appropriate. We are excited to add new students to the university and Varsity College’s line-up,” Mr Thompson said.

Varsity College is part of the Independent Institute of Education (IIE), the leading provider of private higher education in South Africa. According to Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of the IIE, the partnership between the IIE and the university is an example of the potential that is inherent in public-private partnerships to increase the range of high quality options available to students.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, who also was one of the speakers at this event, said with this partnership, students will get the best of both worlds in accessing higher education.

The Faculty of Law will ensure that students obtain both a thorough grounding in legal theory, as well as a solid practical foundation, and Varsity College, through a strong commitment to innovative teaching and learning, will empower more students to become legal graduates of the highest calibre. Thus, the innovative partnership between the UFS and Varsity College will produce a Bachelor of Law degree that is highly sought after in the legal profession.

This partnership is the first of its kind, paving the way for increased collaboration between public and private tertiary institutions to best serve the education sector and the future of graduates.

“This is what is possible when two dynamic partners like the university and Varsity College come together,” Prof. Jansen said.

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