Cervical cancer is the second most

common cancer among South African women

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

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.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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

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

Cervical screening is available at

CANSA’s Mobile Health Clinics, Care Centres

and Clinics country-wide

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

One of CANSA’s Mobile Health Clinics creating

awareness and doing free screening in the

community

CANSA creating awareness and educating

the public

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

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

Join the fight against cervical cancer...

• Get screened regularly

• Make a donation

• Become a member

• Sign up as a volunteer

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

Help CANSA expand its cancer screening

programmes, please consider making a donation at any of our

CANSA Care Centres and Clinics country-wide

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

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.