The Fiji Cancer Society is asking women around the country to think of the many children left without their mothers after statistics show that in a two year period between 2007-2008 two hundred and fifty four women died due to cervical cancer.

Society President, Nirmala Nambiar said that these figures are alarming, as cancer of the cervix and reproductive organs can be prevented just by a simple Pap smear test, adding that only ten percent of the eligible women undergo such tests.

According to Nambiar, 99% of Cervical Cancer cases are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus which is transmitted sexually, stressing the need for sexually active women to go for Pap smear tests.

Nambiar added that one of the challenges of treating cancer in the country is the fact that whenever a person gets sick, they tend to go and seek herbal, religious or traditional methods of treatment before seeking professional medical advice, which is usually where women turn to when they are in the last stages of cancer.

She added that for every woman that dies due to cancer, a family loses its mother, adding that this should be a wake-up call for all women in the country, as close to 400 new cases are reported annually.

According to the society, Fiji has one of the world's highest cervical cancer rates which are 8 times higher than Australia and New Zealand.

As part of its awareness campaign to raise awareness on cancer, the Fiji Cancer Society launched their Fiji's Biggest Morning Tea last Thursday and this will run until the 11th of next month.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala.