The Papua New Guinea Prime Minster has appealed to the women of PNG to get tested and treated for cervical cancer and related illnesses.
Peter O'Neill Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta
Last week's Pacific Islands Forum discussed the need to address high distribution costs of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine as the Melanesian region has some of highest rates of cervical cancer in the world, often brought on by HPV.
In PNG 1500 women die a year because of it.
Peter O'Neill says the issue is about awareness.
"The treatment is there already. We need to get our young women and young girls to the hospitals, get the treatement that is available. It is nothing to by shy about. This is the reality of life. We have customs and practices that range throughtout the region and the fear of going to hospital and being checked is always there but survival is very important. Every life is worth saving."