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Every day, 16 women in South Africa lose their lives to cervical cancer. Thes devastating disease is the second most common cancer among women in the country, and it\u2019s most often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) known as the human papillomavirus (HPV).<\/p>\n
To combat this, the health NGO, Right to Care, is urging men to consider circumcision as a way to protect themselves and their partners. <\/p>\n
During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in September, Right to Care highlighted the crucial role men could play in reducing the rates of cervical cancer by opting for circumcision.<\/p>\n
How HPV and cervical cancer are connected<\/strong><\/p>\n HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and it can be spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex. In most cases, people who contract HPV don\u2019t show any symptoms and the infection clears up on its own. <\/p>\n However, persistent HPV infections, especially with high-risk strains, can lead to cervical cancer. In fact, 95% of cervical cancers are caused by untreated HPV infections.<\/p>\n HPV doesn\u2019t just cause cervical cancer. It\u2019s also linked to other cancers, including anal, penile and even breast cancer. Research has shown that male circumcision can significantly reduce the transmission of HPV, helping lower the incidence of the cancers.<\/p>\n Male circumcision has been medically proved to reduce the spread of HIV and other STIs, including HPV, by up to 60%.<\/p>\n Dr Khumbulani Moyo, the head of the Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Programme at Right to Care, said circumcision could be one of the most effective ways for men to protect their and their partner\u2019s health.<\/p>\n \u201cAs part of our national male circumcision programme, we ask men to consider circumcision as one of the single biggest ways to not only protect their health but to protect the health of their female partners by preventing South Africa\u2019s high rates of cervical cancer,\u201d Moyo said.<\/p>\n A comprehensive review of 81 studies has provided strong evidence that male circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HPV infection in women. <\/p>\n Those with circumcised partners are less likely to contract HPV, which, in turn, lowers their risk of developing cervical cancer.<\/p>\n What can men expect when going for circumcision?<\/strong><\/p>\n For those who might be nervous about the procedure, Moyo reassured them that medical circumcision was a quick and relatively painless process. Performed under local anaesthetic, the procedure took only 30 minutes. <\/p>\n Aside from an initial injection for the anaesthetic, there was little pain involved.<\/p>\n \u201cYour health-care worker will tell you everything you need to know, including how to care for your wound,\u201d Moyo added.<\/p>\n In addition to reducing the risk of HIV by up to 60%, circumcision also lowers the transmission of HPV, which is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. The simple procedure can have a life-saving impact, not just for men but for their partners as well.<\/p>\n Male circumcision is often a sensitive topic in South Africa but popular comedian, artist and motivational presenter, Simphiwe Shembe, is working to change that. <\/p>\n As a descendant of the prophet Isaiah Shembe, Shembe has begun openly discussing male circumcision, determined to break the stigma around it.<\/p>\n Through his involvement with Right to Care\u2019s campaign, ukuSoka (circumcision), he is encouraging men to embrace circumcision as a positive lifestyle choice. <\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot turn a blind eye to HIV and the other benefits of circumcision,” Shembe said. <\/p>\n “Males over 15 now have the chance to take the bold step to circumcise by making use of the free and voluntary medical circumcision programme available in their community.\u201d<\/p>\n Since 2012, Right to Care has safely performed more than 1.5 million circumcisions. <\/p>\n Moyo said the process, when done in a medical facility and under sterile conditions, did not negatively affect sexual function or pleasure. <\/p>\n \u201cMany men worry about the effect circumcision may have on their sex life, but there is no need for concern,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n While circumcision plays a significant role in reducing the risk of cervical cancer, Moyo also urged women to take charge of their health through regular screenings. <\/p>\n \u201cIn addition to encouraging men to circumcise, we also urge women to screen for cervical cancer with a Pap smear or HPV test,\u201d he said. Early detection is key in preventing the disease from progressing.<\/p>\n Where to go for circumcision in the eThekwini District<\/strong><\/p>\n For men in the eThekwini district interested in circumcision, several clinics are available and operate on Fridays. All clinics are open from 7.30am until 4pm. Some of the locations:<\/p>\n KwaMashu Poly Clinic: G1400, Bhejane Road, KwaMashu<\/p>\n Lamontville Clinic: corner Gwala Street and Msizi Dube Road, Lamontville<\/p>\n Pinetown Clinic: 18 Chapel Street, Pinetown<\/p>\n St Aidan\u2019s Hospital: 33 Centenary Road, Durban<\/p>\n Adams Clinic: 4125, D995 Sheleni Road, Adams Mission, Cele<\/p>\n Every day, 16 women in South Africa lose their lives to cervical cancer. Thes devastating disease is the second most common cancer among women in the country, and it\u2019s most often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). To combat this, the health NGO, Right to Care, is urging […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-219338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-local-news"],"yoast_head":"\n