Ghana to host 4th Stop Cervical Cancer in Africa Conference

Accra, July 21 - Ghana is hosting the 4th Stop Cervical Cancer in Africa (SCCA) conference on the theme: "Africa unite in action: Mobilising political and financial support to strengthen cervical cancer prevention through integration."

The forum, which is linked to the African First Ladies and Cervical Cancer project, launched in Cape Town July 20, 2009, during the 3rd Stop Cervical Cancer in Africa Conference, is being organised by the government of Ghana in collaboration with Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation.

Participants expected at the conference comprise 12 African First Ladies who are determined to reduce the burden of the disease by raising awareness through education.

The forum is campaigning for access to medical resources to protect women in Africa from cervical cancer.

The conference to span July 25 to July 27, will attract personalities like Mary Robinson; former President of Ireland, First Lady of South Africa and incoming Chairperson, Forum of Africa First Ladies Against Breast and Cervical Cancer, Madam Tobeka Madiba-Zuma and Mrs Janet Museveni, First lady of Uganda.

Others are Queen Nomsa LaMatsebula, First Lady of Swaziland; Mrs T. Salou, First Lady of Niger; Mrs Thandiwe Banda, First Lady of Zambia; Vice President, National Assembly of Algeria; deputy speakers of parliament from Ghana, Uganda and Malawi; parliamentarians from across Africa; Ministers of Health from Africa including Dr Benjamin Kunbour and Dr Elias Sory, Director General of Ghana Health Service.

The conference will discuss topics like: Setting the scene- Burden of cervical cancer in Africa; The role of African First Ladies in cervical cancer prevention: the South African experience and cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment and palliation.

The key objectives of the forum are to advocate increased awareness of cervical cancer in Africa; mobilise resources for the development of policy, strategies and actions to fight cervical cancer at the country, regional and international level; reduce the stigmatisation of people suffering and living with cervical cancer in Africa and collaborate with global and local partners, confronting and fighting the disease together.

So far SCCA has increased visibility of cervical cancer in Africa through support from national and international stakeholders: Ministers of Health, advocates and survivors; lobbying of African presidents and governments, parliaments, religious institutions for cultural and policy change including the African Health Agenda and contributing the highest signatories to the Global Call to Stop Cervical Cancer with the First Lady of Uganda and Chairperson of the Forum.

Future activities of the Forum of African First Ladies is to attend key congresses including the Stop Cervical Cancer in Africa conference organised by the Princess Nikky Cancer Foundation; lobby Presidents, heads of state, governments and other First Ladies to include cancer on the World and African Health Agenda; mobilise the international community's existing and new resources for cancer in Africa; build on partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organisations in Africa, and around the world.

To date, small-scale demonstration projects have been conducted in Africa to assess the feasibility of implementing screening and vaccination programmes.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide under the age of 45 years. The main cause of the disease is a virus called Human Pailloma Virus (HPV).

Every woman may be at risk of contracting HPV. The virus is easily transmitted through genital skin contact.