News / Health
'I am calling on men to undergo circumcision' - Khupe
18 Oct 2013 at 03:32hrs | Views
MDC-T vice-president Thokozani Khupe yesterday reiterated calls for men to consider circumcision in a bid to prevent new cervical cancer infections in the country.
Cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV).
Khupe told Southern Eye that men need to seriously consider circumcision to not only prevent the spread of the HPV that causes cancer, but to help reduce new HIV infections.
"I am saying men should look at these issues seriously to save lives.
"If we have men who are circumcised, we will have 60% chances of not transmitting the virus that causes cancer," Khupe said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Health experts say other than reducing the spread of HIV by 60%, male circumcision offers partial protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Khupe said statistics show that 1 200 women die annually from cervical cancer that affects a further 1 800 women in Zimbabwe.
"This is the reason why I am calling on men to undergo circumcision.
"By getting circumcised men will also protect themselves from STIs and HIV," Khupe added, noting that cervical cancer accounts for 32% of all cancers among women.
Khupe recently called for the introduction of a cancer levy to deal with all cancer-related health matters.
The World Health Organisation indicates that the high number of cervical cancer infections and deaths are as a result of HIV and Aids where women who are HIV-positive are thought to be three to five times more likely to develop cervical lesions that become cancerous.
Research shows that signs of cervical cancer include a discharge with traces of blood and pain during sexual intercourse, abnormal bleeding or a sudden change in one's menstrual cycle that cannot be explained, among others.
Khupe's motion was introduced on Wednesday in the National Assembly where she called for the setting up of centres to treat cancer around the country.
Speaker Jacob Mudenda said MPs should support the Thoko Khupe Cancer Foundation with donations, saying it was a noble idea.
Mudenda, a Zanu PF member said one of his friend's mother was saved by Khupe's intervention through the foundation.
Cervical cancer is caused by a sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV).
Khupe told Southern Eye that men need to seriously consider circumcision to not only prevent the spread of the HPV that causes cancer, but to help reduce new HIV infections.
"I am saying men should look at these issues seriously to save lives.
"If we have men who are circumcised, we will have 60% chances of not transmitting the virus that causes cancer," Khupe said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Health experts say other than reducing the spread of HIV by 60%, male circumcision offers partial protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Khupe said statistics show that 1 200 women die annually from cervical cancer that affects a further 1 800 women in Zimbabwe.
"By getting circumcised men will also protect themselves from STIs and HIV," Khupe added, noting that cervical cancer accounts for 32% of all cancers among women.
Khupe recently called for the introduction of a cancer levy to deal with all cancer-related health matters.
The World Health Organisation indicates that the high number of cervical cancer infections and deaths are as a result of HIV and Aids where women who are HIV-positive are thought to be three to five times more likely to develop cervical lesions that become cancerous.
Research shows that signs of cervical cancer include a discharge with traces of blood and pain during sexual intercourse, abnormal bleeding or a sudden change in one's menstrual cycle that cannot be explained, among others.
Khupe's motion was introduced on Wednesday in the National Assembly where she called for the setting up of centres to treat cancer around the country.
Speaker Jacob Mudenda said MPs should support the Thoko Khupe Cancer Foundation with donations, saying it was a noble idea.
Mudenda, a Zanu PF member said one of his friend's mother was saved by Khupe's intervention through the foundation.
Source - Southern Eye
