August/ September 2013

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MAG

Interview with Mbasa Yona The Man Behind

Diaries of Icherrie Yomjaivo

We also talk: Cervical Cancer Exclusive Interview with

Asanda Msaki Lusaseni

Br o
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by

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THE WOMENS MONTH EDITION.

Editorial
Womens Month Edition

A warm welcome to all amaKoloni.

What a true pleasure it has been putting this women's edition together, I loved it from its moment of conception when the Free MAG team was seated around the dinner table trying to come up with ideas for this month's issue, Loyz posed a question that laced our table with silence for a few seconds; WHAT DO WOMEN WANT? not able to come up with one word answers on what exactly women want, we posed the question on facebook and asked you on our wall Koloni nithini? Interesting answers came about. This question has not been easy to answer; women are multi-taskers not a simple species to figure out. Lots of appreciation to all the women and Men, who shared with us their journey to Freedom; Mr. Mbasa Yona the man behind the Diary of iCherrie yomjivoit seems that there is a man that knows what women want after all, hats off to you sir for having so many followers on your facebook page, we humbled as Free MAG for having you on our pages and we shall continue supporting you. Ms Asanda Msaki for making time for us in her busy schedule in and out of the country, if you have not heard this woman open her mouth and sing, make a plan and do so, because you are missing out on one of life's greatest gems; the strength in her voice, the honesty in her lyrics, integrity in her character and authentic artist in all her form. Vuyokazi Martins a Koloniser of note, she is taking by storm the fashion industry watch this space House of Couture don't say I didn't tell yall, her work is remarkable and yes I do remember Miss Martins' the one a cold Pretoria North winter night when we did the fashion show and appeared on huisegenoot for it . Many thanks to everyone who made this issue possible, the Free MAG team; amazing graphics and mind blowing designs by Litha Mpiyakhe and Lio Luyanda Mbodla, shot on target peculiar photography by Loyiso Gwanya, Journo Buli Q, Mr. Masiza for Free Medical Aid and incredible researcher, and our lovely Kolonians amahle much love for you. Women want it all; Respect, meaningful relationships, spiritual and soul fulfillment, financial wellness, prosperity, physical wellness, and love; to love and be loved back.

A life that is purpose-filled is a life fully lived and worth living, find a balance between purpose, pleasure, and love.live your dreams till you die, and do not leave them to die My Thoughts In Words.

The Team.

Loyiso Gwanya Photographer/ Film Director

Anelisa Masiza Marketing/ Researcher

Bulelwa Qotoyi Journalist/PR Manager

Luyanda Mbodla Web Developer/ IT

Litha Mpiyakhe Graphic/Web Designer

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Ladies
Buli Q Bella
What do women want? Women want to be loved, taken care of and appreciated. They always hope you do not forget anniversaries, birthdays and all those things. Haha! Which Beauty essentials do you swear by? Which Beauty essentials do you swear by? I believe in taking care of your inner beauty and your health. Value your inner you, they are the most beautiful attribute about you. What are your favorite moments? My favorite moments in my life is time spent with my family, family time is what brings joy to me. Good face moisturizer with spf, and lip glosspot pout ladies. What are your favorite moments? Countless, which one do I even pick out? But one that stands out the most right now was when we went canoeing with my girlfriends at Areena Riverside resort, she could have strangled and killed me at that point because I had no rhythm and didn't steer to the right direction, she ended up doing all the rowing and bringing us safely back to land, would not have held it against her if she pushed me into the water but she did not, she was a true friend and reminded me why girlfriends are important to have in your life, and me having them is the best thing to me. Women's month message: learn, love, and live a life worth living! Happy women's month ladies, male species don't hate, just appreciate us! What do women want? I don't know! We want quite a lot of things but in essence all we really need is LOVE! Sincere kinda love, and oooh having things go our way, doubt that is too much to ask. Women's month message: "As women we must learn to have a backbone, stand for what you believe in...He will treat you bad coz u allow him to

FREECAPE MEDIA.

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diary of
Yomjaivo..
FreeMag Interview with Mbasa Yona, man behind; Diary of iCherrie Yomjaivo.

For more info visit:

www.facebook.com/theDoiy1

Written by: Loyiso Gwanya

ngelos in Central at Parliament Street in Port Elizabeth sets the scene; I knew we would be interviewing Mbasa Yona and from the sound of the voice I heard

FM: Mbasa what background do you have as a writer? Y.M: Actually I am not a writer. Ndingathi ndiyakuthanda ukubalisa amabali (storyteller), I read a lot, and watch a lot of television especially movies and documentaries. The Diary of iCherrie Yomjaivo kum is just fun, ndiqale ndichitha isiyali ngoku I can't stop coz people won't stop hunting me down. Bendingayazi ukuba it would just be blown like this. Now I am thinking of looking into writing as a career.

on the phone and on the radio I knew the writer of this diary yeCherrie Yomjaivo is a dude, accompanied by his manager Nwabisa to mediate the meeting, and Vincent his IT systems integrator also joined in on the meeting. Without wasting any time and much anticipation to hear from Mbasa I immediately got started with interview. FM: So how did The Diary of iCherrie Yomjaivo come about? M.Y: Isiyali (boredom), I was sitting, chilling with a friend of mine who has his own page; Diary of a Kasi Taxi Driver we were just chatting about the things girls do and get up to you know; aba sibabonayo sincokolenabo some esitratweni, abanye eziclubini so the whole thing took off from there. I thought I could put together The Diary of iCherrie Yomjaivo and my friend thought it was a great idea, so I ran with it and never looked back. It was a Wednesday I remember at 4pm I started writing my first chapter and posted it, by the time I went to bed that night we had about 200 likes. When I woke up I couldn't believe there were more than 300 people following me who made the page hit 2000 likes the following day. I just kept writing and by that Sunday we were sitting with 10 000 people supporting us. Now it's only been a week and I have been asked to interviews with newspapers and radio shows and there are more than 17 000 people following us. The thing is I write relatively short chapters and put out four per day now; it's like breakfast, lunch, supper and a bonus meal with some snacks in-between so I always give my audience something to look forward to. People keep asking for more but andifuni ide idike.

...hese girls probably have weekly visits to the hair salon, they get their nails manicured and pedicures...

FM:Who is iCherrie Yomjaivo? M.Y: There isn't in actual fact a person who is iCherrie Yomjaivo, Nomathemba is a fictional character that I created combining a few people that I could relate to, so ndingathi uNomathemba ngamacherrie amanintsi endiwaziyo endiwadibanisileyo. She is a 21 year old girl who is currently a second year student at NMMU. She was born and raised eMthatha by happily married loving Christian parents. She moved out of Res and now shares a flat with some friends and she has no relative's apha ebhayi. She decided not to study eMthatha eWSU when she matriculated because she wanted to get away from her parents just to experience a different life. Her roommates Palesa and Anathi are like her new family yalapha ebhayi so they look out for each other. Bayathanda ukonwaba big time, you find them wearing nice designer clothes, expensive shoes, these girls probably have weekly visits to the hair salon, they get their nails manicured and pedicures, on any given day they always wear makeup, and you will surely find them if you do the round in the night clubs. They always look for the guys who make it rain, in any club they go to often they will not pay for drinks but they

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typical socialites. Nomathemba comes from a rich family so they are well off but now she has gone on a tangent so her parents do not really support her. She has two siblings back home but yena she decided to get away from that, not that she hates them but just for a little freedom in tertiary. FM: What would you say drew Nomathemba to this kind of lifestyle she is now living? Y.M: I think it's from watching too much TV and maybe peer pressure. I mean even when she was still eMthatha she grew up with DSTV watching the likes of; Kadasians and the Simons, looking up to the Beyonce's and other interesting characters with reality shows and such so she wanted that lifestyle and told herself that when she moves away from her parents she will live just like that. Nomathemba was brought up well and she knows she had it good but the confinement of her father's house frustrated her and all she ever just wanted was freedom. FM: In Conclusion; what attributes would you say Noma is looking for in a man? Y.M: She wants a man who is driven; obviously he must drive but ke ufuna intanga yakhe ngoku. She wants a man who is not insecure coz she loves to socialize. Sometimes she will go out with him but sometimes she will want to be with her friends and he mustn't wait up all night or stress if she can't come home, instead her man must be living his own life and he must be driven as well so they can have a good future. Makoloni you must understand Mbasa now lives and breathes The Diary of iCherrie Yomjaivo. He is writing the story with thousands of people following him. He has promised to deliver four chapters every day and still has to run around doing interviews and admin work for the page and yes he also has a FM: What drives Nomathemba? Besides the nightlife, what are her passions and interests? Y.M: Well firstly she wants to complete her studies. She is not studying what she wanted which is to be in the media industry somehow, but she wants to make her parents proud and complete her studies, then she wants to move to Joburg. She wants the big city life, so she can be in the heart of the media industry here in SA then she can pursue her dreams and hopefully fall in love then be married and live happily ever after. Eyonanto ayifunayo kutshata abenabantwana kubanaye ukhuliswe ngabazali abamthandayo abatshatileyo. FM: How have her relationships with men been? Y.M: Nomathemba broke up with her first boyfriend whom she was in a long term relationship with because she cheated on him. So you can say she is a heartbreaker. Unfortunately the guy she was with couldn't keep up with the lifestyle she wanted, firstly he had no car so they couldn't really go out or get around, and he couldn't afford her tastes. Yena ebefuna indoda enemoto, enemali, like itshomi zakhe ezimfake egiyeni, like uAnathi even took them shopping with her boyfriend's It's only a matter of time before he attracts somebody who will want to take this story and blow beyond proportions putting The Diary of iCherrie Yomjiavo onto other platforms that reach a very wide audience. So there goes our interview as this man chases chapters, we gained some good perspective on what women want. I must say initially iCherrie Yomjaivo was not my cup of tea, but I must give props where props are due, so you can say I paid my dues. The dedication to his new found niche on life is admirable, He might not think of himself as a writer right now but it takes a writer to create 45+ chapters to a story with such a huge following, so if he hadn't considered looking at writing as a profession it's about time to look into it because now there is a demand for The Diary of iCherrie Yomjaivo. life. Unfortunately for us that means he had to cut our interview short and leave only to go to the car and type while he charges up his phone which runs low on battery frequently because he uses it to run the page. Amaxesha amanintsi especially when she is all alone, she finds herself thinking of her first boyfriend and regrets leaving him but she can't go back anymore. Noma desperately longs to be in a stable relationship with a man her age so singathi uyakhangela kuyo yonke lento ayenzayo she is looking for love. money, so she ended up falling for an older guy onemali but she couldn't stay with him so she kinda sleeps around and goes with the flow currently she is not in a relationship.

She wants a man who is driven; obviously he must drive but ke ufuna intanga yakhe ngoku. She wants a man who is not insecure coz she loves to socialize.

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We caught up with this beautiful gracious songbird, which lights up ones soul when she starts singing, she shared with us her different phases in life to where she is right now, a woman of strength, here is our chat with

ASANDA MSAKI LUSASENI

I'm quite comfortable to say that I am an artist. That is the way I am identified in my environment. I am an observer and that plays out in a few ways through different art forms. I am Proud to be an observer of the Eastern Cape so I'm proudly Koloni not to say I do not want to experience other environments but I think there is a definite vibe here that I connect with as an artist.

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F.M: let's start with where is Asanda from? My family is from eNqamakwe, my dad's side then my mom is from ePhewuleni ngase Dikeni. I grew up with my parents in Amalinda, without sounding lame; a husband will move me out of my parent's house. East London is my home town; ASide is my hood which has been an interesting art space for the longest time. Does anyone remember all the hip hop artists out of A-Side and I did a good job running away from being the chorus girl on every album out of A-Side. I remember singing some horrid hooks thinking I must get away from this but anyway there were good times with kankata 'qcwala ngomratata' respect to Liyo, Genges Khan, Fire yeah remember 'music is my life' that's when I got to enjoy hip hop, not that I don't now but who makes songs like 'it's wonderful' F.M: How does your 'Musical Life' look right now? I am building a foundation with an EP, which I decided is a necessary step because my goal is to get an album out but I am feeling overwhelmed by the album because I have so many ideas about how F.M: Does the fact that you are a woman set you apart with your music? I don't really think much about that, so when I write I collide with the world and the fact that I am a woman is part of what you will receive but that is not the point from which I write, you find there is a lot more to me. As a fine art student I found it very annoying that I had to deal with my race, and deal with my gender, and deal with my environment with my class and it worked but intentionally I did get to a point where I just tried to make something that anyone would identify with but the most natural thing is to create from who you are. to do what with who involving so many people but to do an EP I can just by myself one day and meet someone who gives direction to what I did then I can put something out just to give people a chance I can't say what will come out if it's feminine or masculine one day it might be heritage then you find me urban all that being by products of who I know what I want so I need people who will pay attention to what I think is important. I you step into the music industry singular and you bring your skills alone so they find you a manager who gets you a band, producers, designers and they form the whole project based on their ideas of how to sell you I am looking for a team that gets me. I It just happens on a human level we come across each other and get to know guitarists and drummers and producers and people in the industry doing things you probably didn't know but you grow like that. Challenges are a part of life even men face challenges. F.M: What are the challenges of being an independent woman as a musician? am. I think you really teach people how to treat you because you know the one thing that annoys me is this ideal of a damsel in distress waiting to be discovered by some masculine producer who will pick you up from now where and turn you into a star. to get familiar with my music. I'm in a space where I can win people over on a live environment, all I have is the relationships built on the performance arena because there is nothing recorded I have put out so I will be having a big show at the Guild Theatre on the 9th October 2013 that will be my offering to get to as many people here in East London appealing to the Eastern Cape so spread the word. I will be looking for some high school choirs and getting kids involved really integrating the performance, I mean I want collaborations coz other people inspire me.

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because there is lots of money put into this and you don't have a say about that and that doesn't really belong to you so I'm taking a bit of an alternative route. I like to have a bit of freedom so obviously I'm prepared to fight for it. Maybe more challenges will come a bit further down the road, as I get older I can take decisions with experience. F.M: What challenges are you faced with as a musician in the Eastern Cape? Location is critical to my art but I know for certain things I will need to approach some companies and organisations that are not in the Eastern Cape. I want full control of my artistry. I want the most benefit from the business side of things; I have more to bargain with, you won't be taking something from scratch even though you get it fresh. I like to be inspired by my surroundings so even though I don't know how it will turn out, I know I can approach that person or go to that office and that all gets me excited. I'm looking for the right people and I know I'm gonna find them because I'm looking. I don't know if they have that freedom elsewhere 'Free Koloni' maybe later down the road we can get seasoned contributors from around the world but whoever bites will be eating on my terms. I can deliver a packaged product and we can just find a way to talk about duplication, distribution, sales and marketing campaigns so we can talk in terms of anything that doesn't pollute my creative package so that anybody that gets that after wards will be connecting with me. It really sucks that we need validation from people who don't know us for us to feel that we are good enough. I really feel like I am falling in love with the Eastern Cape and I can win East London over so wherever I go I can say they love me back home so I keep going back home. I have a dream to have a place where people can go to any day any time and find art in different forms from visual to fashion with live entertainment and platforms to share between artists and to the public. I don't want it to be like an arts centre where In Grahmstown I had a band called One Shushu Day and we had an amazing girl playing bass for us, she schooled in jazz, played for some rock bands and very versatile, extremely sensitive in her approach and very supportive and understanding to my ideas you know she adds her flair but is less likely to take over the show but you find some male musicians like that too. Oh my gosh, Lord have mercy. A designer who knows how to make you feel comfortable is most likely to understand how you want to look so I don't know there aren't too many people I get comfortable getting dressed by. There is this girl 'Charlie Rose' she has a vintage store that has the most beautiful vintage clothing. Another girl With music to me it's been boring to just be traditional so I am more open like there are many good artists. I don't want to have an all female band with three backup vocalists all female but I surely do like to work with other women. I know there are some amazing girls that I've been hunting down like this unbelievable girl who plays guitar and supposedly lives somewhere in the Eastern Cape she used to play with Zim Nqawana. The thing is people must click we don't just click because we are women you know, some women are difficult to work with so you can't really compare the two. F.M: Would you rather be dressed by a Man or a Woman? One of my favourite artists to work with here in east London is David 'Juss Flo' you know he just flows with you so he is one of the most sensitive artists I've worked with but he is male so people are people man. F.M: Do you prefer working with Men or Women? only artists go but somewhere that the community can get to appreciate the work done by our young artists on a regular basis. This is the space where experienced artists who have left the Eastern Cape can come home to and get a feel of what is current and you can just be jamming or find a headline act or collaborations happening. One Shushu Day

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Funeka who lives in Joburg but we met in Grahmstown and she feels me but there is also this dude who's still a student actually but he has a great personality and will be making me harem pants so I hope that works out. For me it's all business so I must believe in you and see that you understand me creatively. I don't want to think too much about my clothes so it's nice to have someone take care of that for you. It would be nice to have more people from the Eastern Cape who are not clich about the clothes we wear. East London got swag I mean you could just walk down the street and shoot a music video. The thing is East London is a franchise city. We like looking good but you know we all shop from the same shops, no room for individual expression. We eat the same KFC or if you are different its Nandos no special restaurants that serve homemade dishes so we look the same. It's a rigid city and it's reflective in many things. It's refreshing sometimes to just visit other cities and see graffiti not just on random walls but Mak1 on city busses and big buildings, to see shops with interesting afrocentric gear and handmade crafts, just It's not up to me and I don't even want to know until they get born. I just want healthy kids that I can home school and get to travel with and have fun with. I don't want my kids to feel like they are missing out when mom and dad go gallivanting. Why must we lie and get sick notes when we decide to take a trip when you can take a book on a journey. F.M: What is in your wardrobe that you can't live without? I like simple things. My staples are comfortable pants that fit, vintage jackets, scarf, earnings. I like things with memories I guess that's why I am attracted to things that last so quality is important to me. I am definitely not a fashionista. F.M: Any items in your wardrobe that will never see the light of day, any items you regret buying? I want to encourage women to keep sharing, and not be intimidated by anybody. Do not be afraid wherever you are. People are not meant to stop growing so the more I share the more I learn the more I grow. There I go talking to you like I know something, use it loose it that was good for me. F.M: Any wise words to share with fellow sistas? He must get me. He must get me! He must get me! He must get me! He must be considerate; I must be able to share my space with him. He must be patient to understand me so we can have fun. He must get excited even with just the simple things I want my life to be exciting. F.M: Boys or Girls? Anything functional, so yes I use a cell phone but I don't have vanities really. Chocolate or Flowers? None of the above Diamonds or Pearls? Handmade jewellery. F.M: What do you want in your 'Dream Man'? Yeah definitely I want to have kids. It's not up to me but I would like lots of kids. F.M: So you have intentions to have kids? I could settle in a rural spot somewhere ezilalini. I really like the wild coast, but my life is not stagnant so I would want a city house as well even a house in Joburg and maybe not a beach house in Cape Town but a hut coz property is expensive there. I want a child friendly environment to raise a family in. No more shopping guys I don't do much shopping. When I shop I just know what I want usually so I come out with one item or the same item in three colours. I used to go shopping with my friends but they wouldn't like what I pick so I didn't enjoy that so yeah some of those friends are not around anymore, I wonder why? Sisanda likes to F.M: Do you like to shop alone, with your man or with your girls? breaking the chain store mentality. F.M: Where is your dream House? My check red and black mini skirt, I don't do miniskirts anymore. I also have a sequent black and gold skull head shirt that I just never wore but it looked good at the shop. I could only wear that under a black leather jacket which I don't have a song for but I will rock it on stage one day.

...I also have a sequent black and gold skull head shirt that I just never wore but it looked good at the shop. I could only wear that under a black leather jacket...

shop and he knows what I like so if I want three tops and I show him one he can find me two and we walk out happy. I shop for survival but I know some people do it for fun so I guess it can be fun but it must not be for too long. F.M: What vanities must you have all the time?

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Koloniser
Fashion Designer, Business Owner, mother of a beautiful baby boy, a young sister doing it, and making a name for herself in the Gauteng province. Vuyokazi Martins was born on the 11th of May 1987 in Mthatha, grew up in EastLondon, and studied Clothing Construction at Tshwane North College in Pretoria. Motivated and fearless in her action, she took a leap of faith and left her home lands to pursue her career, we caught up with her just to find out what she is up to with her Couture line.

FM: Your first encounter with fashion? VM: Oooh! That's a big one! Growing up, I've always been known to be the dreamer and dream big is what I did. I used to watch Fashion TV a lot and even in my childhood my mom was big on soaps, I got exposed to the lavish life of the Foresters on Bold and The Beautiful. That was my 1st encounter with couture! FM: Define to us your style and inspiration? VM: My sense of style is Eclectic. I take a bit from the European fashion it is after all the Mecca of fashion, and I also dab in a bit from the runways of New York. Most recently I've tapped into African prints but the type from North Africa n some from East Africa. FM: Most memorable and favourite moments in your career? VM: When I and a friend of mine were students doing our final year at Tshwane North College, we got invited to show case our designs at a fashion show in Pretoria North. Our talent was still raw and we were eager to conquer the world one dress at a time, audience were impressed by the clothes, we even had our designs featured on a national magazine on the social pages of Huisgenoot.

FM: What Eastern Cape culture and trends do you practice apho? VM: None actually. I could have done beading and maybe give pazaz to our traditional wear. But I thrive on being unique and a lot of my peers are going the traditional route. I love weddings and that's where my passion lays: bridal wear.

FM: What are the things you miss most about all of Ec? VM: The scenery. As an artist you know what inspires you and you learn to take in the sights. I grew up by the beach and the mountains are breath taking. One place in particular takes me back "Whole in the wall" in Coffee Bay Transkie. FM: Any plans to come back or bring E.C vibe to Gauteng? VM: I plan on branching out yes and maybe having a fashion house in my home town. Who knows what the future has in store. FM: What are your future plans, career wise and personally? VM: I'm really trying to launch my label and will use any platform I have at my disposal. Personally well I guess time will tell.

FM: Your experience as a woman in fashion? VM: I worked for a fashion house and I have learnt that; women need a lot of reassurance and nothing boosts your ego like a killer dress, good hair and a rocking pair of heals! FM: How does being a woman give you an advantage? VM: I know my target market. I know what works and what doesn't, and as a person living in our time. The 1st thing you do when u wake up in the morning is ponder about what you're going to wear. Nothing starts a week off like looking and feeling good. FM: Message to the youth, and young women? VM: Never be afraid of failure. Don't measure your life by people's expectations. And lastly take time out to dream. All the successful people started somewhere and its was but a dream. And now they are living it. So what's stopping you!

FM:Your reasons for pursuing your chosen vocation in Gauteng? VM: People in Gauteng aren't afraid of being different. And to be a fashion designer you need to be exposed to such freedom, and in that way u can tap into your own and original style. FM: What makes you proudly Eastern Caper? VM: My culture! I'm Xhosa and we are known for our sense of style and intellect. Look at umbaco: it is a well put together traditional attire and it runs from generation to generation evolving as we move along. Whoever designed it truly thought out of the box in there sphere.

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Free Medical Aid

Cervical Cancer

ervical cancer is the 2nd most common form of cancer amongst South African women. It is estimated that one in 26 South African women will develop cervical cancer during their lifetime. More than 6 500 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year and more than 3 000 deaths a year are due to cervical cancer. The South African Government has a policy in place to combat this situation and even a National Guideline on the Cervical Cancer Screening Programs to help lower these numbers, yet little is known about this topic by the general population, and , especially, those implicated by these statistics...Let's change that...

What is Cervical Cancer... A brief anatomy lesson, if I may; The cervix is the opening or the mouth of the womb (uterus). It falls just behind the vagina and it the passage through which menstrual blood passes from the uterus. Cervical cancer is cancer that develops in this particular region, that develops when a woman is infected with certain strains (types) of the sexually transmitted virus, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Recent research reveals that it is HPV subtypes 16 and 18 that show highest risk associated with cervical cancer. HPV is also the virus associated with genital warts, another sexually transmitted infection. The cancer develops over time (roughly a period of 10-20 years) from precursor lesions which can be diagnosed with cervical cytology. "Cervical cyto-what???" Cervical cytology, a special investigation used in the diagnosis of Cervical cancer. At present there are two widely used forms of test in the public sector, the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear and Visual and Inspection Assessment (VIA) as a form of secondary prevention. Both these tests are used to check for any invasive (abnormal) cell growth. They are painless and time convenient, lasting no longer than 15mins. And best of all they are both offered for Free at your local clinic, to all women above 25 years as part of the Cervical Screening Program campaign, and anyone who is sexually active, for diagnostic purposes.

2. Use barrier methods of contraception during sexual intercourse, i.e.: condoms, diaphragms..., to prevent the spread of HPV as well as other sexually transmitted infections. 3. Decrease the number of pregnancies as these strain your uterus, leading you to be more prone to the disease 4. Treat any sexually transmitted infections promptly to avoid their spread to other organs, including the uterus 5. Stop smoking or, preferably never start smoking. There is evidence that women who smoke are more susceptible to cervical cancer than women who never smoked at all. 6. Get vaccinated, in South Africa we have 2 HPV vaccines that are licensed and available, namely "Gardasil" and "Cervarix", which are up to 90% effective in women who have not yet contracted the disease.

Cervical cancer is quite containable and treatable when discovered early, which is why we urge women to stand up for their health and go out there and get screen for it. Let's diminish the silent killer. Facts about Cervical cancer: According to the Medical Research Council, Cervical cancer kills more women in South Africa than any other cancer signs and symptoms include, but not limited to.. -unexplained vaginal bleeding/irregular menstrual periods/post menopausal bleeding - contact bleeding during sexual activity -recurrent sexually transmitted infection, even after being treated -unexplained Lower abdominal pains National Health Minister, in a statement he made in mid-May 2013, announced that the South African Government will provide Free HPV vaccine to 9 and 10 year old girls in the poorest 80% of schools in the country starting February 2014(Mail and Guardian, 15/05/2013) World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines state that 3 shots of the vaccine are needed in a period of 6 months for it to be effective If the above statement becomes a reality, South Africa will be the 1st and only country in Africa to pay for the vaccine for its people Research shows that , depending on the brand, one HPV vaccine costs between R595- R896 a shot

...we urge women to stand up for their health and go out there and get screen for it. Let's diminish the silent killer.

Wait, secondary prevention.....what about primary... Primary prevention is what women should do..., according to the current guidelines on cervical cancer screening women should: 1. Postpone sexual activity to an older age

The views expressed in this article are merely for educational purposes and do not diminish the advice of your doctor, and as such should not be used for diagnostic purposes...for further information please consult your doctor and/Health facility

Written by: Anelisa Masiza

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