Informed youth

Press, 26 October 1989, Page 14

Informed youth

Sir,—The rising rate of cervical cancer in women under 35 years was noted by many speakers at the recent Congress of Medical Women’s International Association. ■ Young women are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections associated with pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix. A five-fold increase in lesions from 1981-85 was reported from Christchurch in the “N.Z. Medical Journal.”

By 1988 the 51 cases had doubled, and-with a lower average,;/*ag«t .National differences : suggested wart virus, sextially* transmitted ■by males, had contributed to increased lesions. All under 16 have a need to i know all ways of keeping themselves safe from infections and how to talk to friends about why and how to take personal responsibility. Hopefully, they will have heard from parents first. This is so important to us all that we must check before they leave school that all both have, and understand, this lifesaving health education.—Yours, etc. (Dr) ROBYN HEWLAND, President, N.Z. Medical Women’s Association. October 22, 1989. Sir,—We were told that legalising abortions would solve the abortion problem. We now have 10,000 abortions annually. We were told sex instruction at our early age would keep our young people informed of the danger of illicit sex. We now have 10,000 abortions annually. We were told that the Christian teachings of self-denial and chastity were for the fairies. We now have 10,000 abortions annually.— Yours, etc., T. H. GODDARD. October 24, 1989.