Two oncologists to treat 9 997 cancer patients

highest in the Northern Cape.

In its reply to Carter, the department meanwhile indicated that a number of innovations had been initiated in the fight against cancer.

“To reduce the number of deaths from cervical cancer the department introduced the HPV vaccine in 2014 and with this an education campaign,” the department stated in its reply.

“Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer experienced by women in South Africa and causes the highest mortality among black women. Cervical cancer is preventable through the implementation of the HPV vaccine.”

The programme targeted Grade 4 girls who are nine years and older in public and special schools.

“Approximately 550 000 girls in 17 000 primary schools have been targeted every year since then and a total of just over one million girls have been vaccinated. The first round of implementation in 2017 took place from February 21 to March 28.

The department is also in the process of finalising the National Policy Framework and Strategy on the Prevention and Control of Cancer; National Policy on Breast Cancer and National Policy of Cervical Cancer and National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care.

“These policies inform innovative implementation of services and will create equitable access to cancer care at all levels of service delivery.”