Offering hysterectomies to HIV positive women with persistent precancerous lesions in resource-limited development of cervical cancer

Abstract

Cervical Cancer is a preventable disease. Sadly it is a cause morbidity and mortality of women in poor socio-economic settings worldwide, largely due to avoidable factors. This amounts to a gross violation of the rights to life and access to healthcare of vulnerable populations of women. Awareness, sensitisation and mobilisation of the civil society could be crucial in influencing change in political will and healthcare policies to address the needs of HIV infected women, in particular, given their susceptibility to the development of cervical cancer. This work advocates for the South African government to further commit resources towards the prevention of cervical cancer, including hysterectomy in women at high risk of developing cervical cancer before it ensues.