{
  "id": 14034246,
  "title": "SA’s CANCER STORY (Part 3): Amid many challenges there are also ‘major wins’ — the case of cervical cancer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/sas-cancer-story-part-3-amid-many-challenges-there-are-also-major",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-12T20:08:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-12-amid-many-challenges-there-are-also-major-wins-the-case-of-cervical-cancer/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In South Africa, vast strides have been made in the fight against various forms of cancer over recent decades. One such example is the monumental HPV vaccination campaign that is anticipated to drastically reduce cervical cancer rates in the years ahead. This story is part three of a special series by Daily Maverick and Spotlight examining cancer in South Africa.\n\nOn October 1st, a sense of triumph was palpable at the inauguration of the new Pfukani Mobile Clinic in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. The event saw cancer advocates, local residents, health workers, and traditional leaders flock to a community hall. The clinic, equipped with a bright pink trailer, will be staffed by obstetrician gynaecologists Dr Vincent Shongwe and Dr Martin Namane. Their primary responsibility will be performing rapid HPV screenings and offering immediate treatment for any discovered precancerous cervical lesions.\n\nThe Pfukani Mobile Clinic utilizes a GeneXpert machine, originally developed by the late Professor Lynette Denny, to conduct HPV tests. Denny's dream was to widely implement this efficient \"test and treat\" technology across South Africa. Though this vision is still in progress, the clinic represents a significant step in that direction. Funded by the R2 million partnership between the Mpumalanga Department of Health and Discovery Health, the mobile clinic is set to benefit approximately 20 patients per day.\n\nDr Shongwe, whose family experienced the devastating effects of cervical cancer, expressed the clinic's importance in his community. He emphasized the urgency of prompt treatment, stating that conventional testing methods often lead to delays. By providing same-day testing and treatment, the clinic aims to significantly improve outcomes for those affected by cervical cancer.\n\nThe clinic's operations will be streamlined, with women able to self-sample for HPV testing, a procedure typically requiring a deep cervix scraping in traditional pap smears. Provincial health MEC Sasekani Manzini officially launched the clinic, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in enhancing service delivery and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all.\n\nIn a related development, the Breast Health Foundation, which spearheaded the mobile clinic initiative, has sought to collaborate with traditional healers in addressing cervical cancer. Chantel Mokoena, a sangoma affiliated with the traditional health collective Lesaka La Di Ngaka, supports the mobile clinic's efforts, acknowledging the shared goal of promoting overall health and well-being. While tensions have existed between traditional healers and healthcare professionals, these partnerships aim to bridge the gap and foster a unified approach to cancer prevention and treatment.",
  "summary": "In recent decades we’ve seen huge advances against several types of cancer. In a still-unfolding example, South Africa’s massive HPV vaccination campaign is set to slash cervical cancer rates in the coming decades. Biénne Huisman unpacks the details in part 3 of a Daily Maverick and Spotlight special series on cancer in South Africa.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}