Girls urged to delay sexual activities to reduce cancer risk

HEALTH and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa has urged girls to delay sexual encounters until they get married or at least use protection to minimise their chances of developing cervical cancer.

BY NQOBILE BHEBHE

Speaking at a psycho-social support forum for southern African youths in Victoria Falls last week, Parirenyatwa said: “We should start early to screen women for cervical cancer. We now urge young women to delay their sexual debut because the earlier they start sexual relations they risk contracting it (cervical cancer).

“That has been known. So delay sexual debut. But should you engage in sex, please use protection. Condoms are key, whether from a disease point of view or a moral [one], as you would prevent sexually transmitted infections, HIV and pregnancy.”

Last year, the government rolled out the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer among girls under the age of 10.

Cervical cancer occurs at the mouth of the womb and is caused by HPV, which is mainly sexually transmitted.

Cervical cancer accounts for 32% of all cancers among women. An estimated three million women, mainly in Zimbabwe’s rural areas, are believed to be suffering from cervical cancer.