Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among South African women and the leading cancer for women aged 15 to 44 years. The cervix is the opening to the womb, and each year, an estimated 10,702 women in South Africa are diagnosed with cervical cancer, with 5,870 dying from this preventable disease. Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented before it develops through vaccination and screening. Regular screening with the appropriate test can help identify if you are at risk for cervical cancer, making early detection and prevention possible.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of cervical cancer. There are 14 types of HPV, known as high-risk (HR-HPV), which can cause cervical cancer. Of these, types 16, 18 and 45 are the most important causes of cervical cancer. HR-HPV is spread by close sexual contact. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have only had sex with one other person, as infection is very common – 80% of women worldwide will be infected at some point in their lives. The majority of women will clear the infection on their own, but a portion of women will not clear the infection and they are at risk for developing cancer.
Most women know about the Pap smear. The Pap smear looks for abnormal cells that may become cancer or that are already cancer. Unfortunately, the Pap smear may miss these abnormal cells. For this reason the Pap smear needs to be repeated every 2 – 3 years. The Pap smear also does not identify that you are at risk for developing cervical cancer until there are already abnormalities. It makes much more sense to look for the cause of cervical cancer -HR-HPV. If you are not infected with HR-HPV, you are not at risk for developing cervical cancer and do not need to screen again for 3 – 5 years.
A positive test for HR-HPV does not mean that you have cancer or that you will get cancer, but it does mean that you are at risk and require more testing by your doctor. Women who are sexually active and < 25 years old should have a Pap smear rather than testing for HR-HPV. This is because many women under the age of 25 years will have an HPV infection that will clear on its own.
1. A liquid-based cytology (LBC) sample collected by a trained healthcare worker is the best sample for screening. It can be used for both an HPV test and a Pap smear. 2. Self-sampling brushes/swabs. Many women avoid screening for cervical cancer as they feel uncomfortable having someone else take a sample or don't have time for a doctor's appointment. Self-sampling brushes are now available for you to collect your own sample for HPV testing. These can be collected from and dropped off at certain Lancet Laboratories depots. Click on the below button to locate the nearest depot offering this option. Unfortunately, a self-sampling brush cannot be used for a Pap smear. For a Pap smear you will need to see a healthcare practitioner.
