South Africa: SA Faces a Cervical Cancer Crisis As a Woman Dies Very 67 Minutes

Svetlomir Slavchev/ GAVI
HPV vaccination day at an Anglican primary school in Eswatini.
6 November 2025
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)
By Salomé Meyer

In May 2025, South Africa and Nigeria successfully sponsored a World Health Assembly resolution declaring 17 November as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day. A proud achievement, but if we are serious about elimination, we must take stock of our own progress.

Cervical cancer is South Africa's second-most-common cancer among women, predominantly affecting Black women who rely on public health services. The National Cancer Registry reported 7,644 new cases in 2023; a lifetime risk of one in 27.

The reality behind these statistics is sobering:

  • 29 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day - one every 82 minutes; and
  • 16 women die of the disease daily - one every 67 minutes.

The late Professor Lyn Denny reminded us that "no woman should die of cervical cancer because she did not have the opportunity to be screened".

In May 2025, South Africa and Nigeria successfully sponsored a World Health Assembly resolution declaring 17 November as World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day. A proud achievement, yet the theme, "Act Now", must resonate at home. If we are serious about elimination, we must take stock of our own progress.

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