The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. CANSA places the focus on Cervical Cancer during the month of September. Cervical Cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among South African women. Sources: http://www.cansa.org.za/womens-health/

2. Cervical cancer
is the second most
common cancer among
South African women

3. *SA Statistics as per National Cancer Registry (NCR) 2007

4. What is cervical cancer?
• Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that
occurs in the cells of the cervix (the lower
part of the uterus/womb)
• It is one of the most common cancers
among South African women, and a leading
cause of death among women in developing
countries
Cervical cancer does
not develop suddenly.
There is a gradual
change from normal
cervical cells, through
various levels of
abnormality, to pre-
cancerous lesions and
eventually to cancer.
This whole process can
take many years.

5. What is a Pap smear?
• A Pap smear is a procedure that is done to
detect early cell changes in the cervix to help
prevent cancer
• By having Pap smears regularly, treatment
can be given at an early stage and so prevent
the development of advanced cervical cancer
Although some
women may
experience
discomfort, a Pap
smear is usually
quick and painless

6. If abnormal cells
are detected, you
will be referred for
treatment to prevent
development of
cervical cancer
How is a Pap smear done?
• To allow for a visual inspection of the vagina
and cervix and to enable the easy collection
of cervical cells, a health practitioner inserts
an instrument called a speculum into the
vaginal canal
• Cervical cells are then collected with a small
wooden spatula or a small cervical brush
• The cells are put onto a glass slide which is
then sent to a laboratory for examination
under a microscope

7. You or your partner had many sexual partners ...
(or still have)
• Many sexual partners increases your risk of HPV infections
• Being sexually active from a very young age increases
exposure
• Women in same sex relationships should also be screened
regularly as HPV is transmitted by means of body fluids
You have an increased risk for cervical
cancer if...

8. You haven't had a Pap smear in the past three or more years
• Women who have never had a Pap smear, or who have
not had one for several years have an increased risk
• Don’t forget... Pap smears are the single most effective cervical
cancer screening procedure to detect cervical cancer
You're between 18 and 40 years old (of child-bearing age)
• Most high risk pre-cancerous lesions are found in women of
childbearing age
• Multiple pregnancies, especially after 5 to 7 full-term pregnancies,
increase the risk of cervical cancer
You have an increased risk for cervical
cancer if...

9. You have a weakened immune system
• Women with weakened immune systems - when diagnosed
with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or when
taking immune-suppressing drugs for auto-immune diseases
or after organ transplants - are more likely to develop
cervical cancer
You're a smoker
• Recent research showed that smoking increases cervical
cancer risk by 50%
You've had persistent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections
• HPV infection of the cervix is the primary risk factor for
cervical cancer and is associated with 70% of all cases
You have an increased risk for cervical
cancer if...

10. What is HPV?
• Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) is a group of more
than 100 related viruses
• About 40 types are sexually transmitted through
genital contact while 2 types (16 + 18) are considered
high risk in South Africa
• HPVs are transmitted via skin-to-skin contact and body
fluids
• Some HPVs, such as those that cause common warts
that grow on hands and feet, do not spread easily

11. What is HPV?
• HPV vaccines prevent infection with
certain HPV types, such as those
associated with the development
of cervical cancer, genital warts, and
some less common cancers
• Speak to your medical practitioner
for more information about
available vaccines
High risk HPV is estimated to cause...
• 70% of cervical and anal cancers
• 50% of vaginal, vulvar and penile
cancers
• 20% of head and neck cancers

12. HPV Vaccination
• The Department of Health (DoH) is
offering free HPV vaccinations to
South African girls
• In 2014 all grade 4 girls were
provided with the opportunity to
receive the HPV vaccination at
schools
• An implementation guide was also
provided to educators with the
necessary information regarding the
vaccination of grade 4 girls in schools
• The target group for the HPV
vaccination is grade 4 girls who are
9 years and older

13. Just remember...
If you have a
number of risk
factors,
find out from your
health practitioner
or CANSA Care
Centre or Clinic
what you can do to
reduce your risk
The more risk
factors you
have,
the greater
your likelihood
of developing
cervical cancer
It is possible
to develop
cervical cancer
without any of
the risk factors
being present

14. Cervical screening
is available at
CANSA’s Mobile
Health Clinics,
Care Centres
and Clinics
country-wide

15. What is CANSA
doing to help?
• CANSA has Mobile Health Clinics
that travel to remote areas
throughout South Africa to reach
people who would otherwise not
have access to screening
• These include breast examinations,
Pap smear screening tests for
cervical cancer, as well as other
health tests such as cholesterol

16. One of CANSA’s Mobile
Health Clinics creating
awareness and doing free
screening in the
community

17. CANSA creating
awareness and educating
the public

18. In the past year, CANSA…
Conducted 13 456 Pap smears for detection of
cervical cancer and facilitated an additional
3 494 Pap smears in
partnership with the
Department of Health

19. In the past year,
CANSA…
• Supported almost 6 203 cancer
patients through our 110 support
groups and our 2 611 trained care
and support volunteers
• Visited and supported a monthly
average of 1 055 patients at CANSA
Care Centres and oncology units
• Facilitated Home Based Care for
13 397 patients
• Made medical loan equipment
available to 4 320 people

20. Join the fight against cervical cancer...
• Get screened regularly
• Make a donation
• Become a member
• Sign up as a volunteer

21. Watch our videos
Arch Bishop Tutu has a message for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTeis0HRXXk&feature=c4-
overview&list=UUsAPiRjevTiGiAvUV1WU77g
CANSA Care and Support:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swNltOAZSwE&feature=c4-
overview&list=UUsAPiRjevTiGiAvUV1WU77g
CANSA Screening:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfq5z3MtSz4&feature=c4-
overview&list=UUsAPiRjevTiGiAvUV1WU77g

22. Help CANSA
expand its cancer screening
programmes, please consider making
a donation at any of our
CANSA Care Centres and Clinics
country-wide

23. Contact us…
• Call us toll-free on 0800 22 66 22, or email info@cansa.org.za
• Please log on to our CANSA national Facebook page:
CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa
• If you are a survivor, please visit our Facebook page in support of cancer
survivors: Champions of Hope - CANSA Survivors
• Also take a look at our CANSA Twitter page: @CANSA
• Join us on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/cansa/
• View our videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/can1000sa

24. Disclaimer:
Whilst the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has taken every precaution in
compiling this presentation, neither it, nor any contributor(s) to this presentation can be
held responsible for any action (or the lack thereof) taken by any person or organisation
wherever they shall be based, as a result, direct or otherwise, of information contained in,
or accessed through, this presentation.