How Male Circumcision Can Help Prevent Cervical Cancer

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 its 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 men to consider circumcision as a way to protect themselves and their partners.

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.

How HPV and cervical cancer are connected

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 dont show any symptoms and the infection clears up on its own.