Men encouraged to make the cut
Study shows male circumcision reduces cervical cancer risk
STUDIES reveal that medical circumcision could reduce cervical cancer, the most common cancer in women between 15 and 44 years of age in South Africa.
While vaccines will go a long way in protecting women against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – the cause of almost all cervical cancer cases – research reveals that male circumcision too has an important role to play in curbing the incidence of this life-threatening illness in women.
Trials in Uganda and South Africa found a lower prevalence of high-risk strains of HPV among men who had been circumcised and as a result, the incidence of high-risk HPV infection among their female partners was also found to be lower.
Life Empangeni Private Hospital Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr Jayeshnee Moodley recently stated one in 42 women in Zululand has cervical cancer.
She encouraged yearly pap smears for healthy women and bi-annual pap smears for women who are HIV positive to pick up signs early enough to prevent the prevalent disease.
Moodley also asserted parents of girls between nine and 13 years old should take their daughters to any pharmacy for the HPV vaccine, used to provide immunity against the disease.
HIV-management organisation, CareWorks Prevention Programmes’ Manager, Rachael Rawlinson said the findings give additional weight to programmes that promote circumcision for HIV prevention, particularly in districts that do not have proper cervical screening programmes in place.
‘Even though cervical screening is currently available in South Africa and has been for some time, national screening coverage is low, particularly in rural areas.
‘Despite the National Department of Health’s introduction of a national screening policy and vaccination campaigns, cervical cancer remains the second most common female cancer and the leading cause of female cancer deaths in the country.’
HPV is spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus.
HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms, causing almost 100% of cervical cancers, with HPV 16 and 18 contributing to over 70% of cervical cancers.
‘Medical male circumcision, along with correct and consistent condom use, cervical screening programmes and HPV vaccines being made available to all women are vital interventions that are likely to have a dramatic impact on cervical cancer rates in our country.
‘All women should encourage their male partners to undergo circumcision as it not only reduces a women’s risk of contracting HPV and cervical cancer, but also reduces the risk of genital warts and other common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men and women.
‘It also reduces a man’s risk of contracting HIV by up to 60%, and lowers his risk of penile cancer,’ said Rawlinson.
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