South Africa

WATCH | Bhekisisa: How to start your next HPV test at home

Cervical cancer affects almost 11,000 women a year in South Africa, leading to about 5,000 deaths. It starts with an infection by the human papillomavirus.

The government aims to increase HPV vaccination coverage to 90%, as part of global efforts spearheaded by the World Health Organisation to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Stock photo.
The government aims to increase HPV vaccination coverage to 90%, as part of global efforts spearheaded by the World Health Organisation to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. Stock photo. (123RF/Jarun011)

Cervical cancer affects almost 11,000 women a year in South Africa, leading to about 5,000 deaths. It starts with an infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

If the infection is caught early enough, it can be treated to prevent cancer from developing in the first place. Doing a self-test for an HPV infection can help. Here’s how it works:

This story was produced by the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism. Sign up for the newsletter.

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