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Prevention of Cervical Cancer in SAfrica

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Did you know that cervical cancer kills more women in South Africa than any other cancer?

MOSAIC is an organization working to empower women and youth living in disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape. They provide PAP smears to screen for cervical cancer as part of their mission to address gender-based violence (GBV) and its related issues. MOSAIC acknowledges that victims of GBV are most often unable to negotiate safe sex, thereby increasing the risk of being infected with HIV and HPV, the virus causing cervical cancer. Their Sexual and Reproductive Health clinic, based in Wynberg, allows clients to access services in a private, safe, and confidential space - including pap smears.

The government affords a woman one PAP smear every 10 years between the ages of 30 and 50 - while the World Health Organization recommends that women should be screened every two years after becoming sexually active until age 65. MOSAIC encourages early detection of cervical cancer by enabling patients to access screening in accordance with international guidelines. Many women discover that they have cervical cancer too late. Although this disease can be treated easily with early detection, late stage cervical cancer is often fatal.

One recent patient at MOSAIC came to the clinic for a contraceptive concern, but upon examination was found to have cancerous lesions on her cervix. Despite immediate treatment, the cancer defeated her two months later. This woman was 47 years old and never had a PAP smear due to lack of information and limited access to preventative measures. Had she been screened earlier through MOSAIC, she could have been able to live a long and healthy life.

PAP smears at MOSAIC cost 150 Rand each - approximately 15 USD, but many women in the area cannot afford this service due to low income and high unemployment. Your contribution of $15 could provide a life-saving service for a woman in need by removing the financial barrier.

We recently witnessed MOSAIC's amazing work through our study abroad public health program in South Africa and we sincerely believe in this cause. Please help us in reaching our goal of raising $1500 to provide 100 PAP smears for women who need it the most.

Please check out MOSAIC's website: http://mosaic.org.za/

Cheers,

Lucy, Melanie, Natalie, and Sosina

Organizer

Lucy Rose
Organizer
New York, NY

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