A free screening for cervical cancer and therapy is ongoing at the Juba Teaching Hospital, targeting women aged between 25 and 29 years.

The medical exercise is an initiative of the South Sudanese’ Reproductive Health Association and, is being carried out in collaboration with the Juba Teaching Hospital.

The screening aims at making “women know the status of their cervix against an infection and possibly reduce chances of developing the disease”.

The reproductive health association says another benefit of the screening is “early detection of pre-cancerous cells and quick preventive treatment”.

The four-day campaign started on Monday and will end on Friday.

The association says many women in South Sudan die of cervical cancer every year but the exact number is not known.

It says cervical cancer can be prevented through a routine screening and treatment of suspicious injuries or infections. It is often life threatening and can kill if detected late without treatment.