#EliminateCervicalCancer
#CANSACervicalCancerAwareness

CANSA launched its Cervical Cancer Awareness and Support Campaign on International Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Day on 4 March 2021.

CANSA aims to:

• address awareness of HPV and the link with cervical cancer
• educate regarding risk factors and symptoms of cervical cancer
• promote early detection through screening
• enable patients and their families to understand their rights within the public health care system
• provide palliative support to patients throughout treatment

Women affected by cervical cancer need to know they are not alone, and that there is hope when it comes to overcoming a diagnosis.

CANSA pledges to assist women who utilise our affordable Pap smear services as well as others diagnosed, to help them understand and guide them through the process of further investigation, and if necessary, a referral to a medical practitioner.

CANSA is here to support, advocate for and to educate cervical cancer patients to cope better with their diagnosis, and to understand how to access vital services for better treatment outcomes, and to help ensure that they have access to counselling and pain medication during treatment.

Did You Know?

• Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths, and the second most common diagnosed cancer (excluding basal cell carcinoma) among South African women.
• HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer in women, resulting in 300 000 deaths due to cervical cancer globally per annum.(1)
• HPV strains 16 and 18 are most frequently associated with the development of cervical cancer.(2)
• HIV infected women are at an increased risk for HPV infection at an earlier age (13-18 years) due to a suppressed immune system and are diagnosed with cervical cancer at an earlier age (15-49 years).(3)

A message from Elize Joubert, CANSA CEO:

"We are dedicated to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. Following a Call to Action in May 2018 from the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros, 194 countries collectively resolved to end needless suffering from a cancer that is both preventable and curable. The world already has the necessary tools; they just need to be made accessible.

CANSA is committed to educating women about one of the most preventable cancers. In Africa, cervical cancer is the cancer women die of most. This should not occur where vaccination against HPV and cancer screening are implemented correctly.

As part of our 90th anniversary milestone, CANSA is committed to providing Pap smears, at affordable rates, to 9 000 women. We’ll also collaborate with partners in the health care sector, parents, schools and traditional leaders and health care practitioners to educate on how to lower the risk for cervical cancer and how to support those diagnosed with it.

We would like to work towards helping to dispel myths and address stigma associated with cervical cancer through our campaign. Myths, misconceptions and misinformation surrounding cervical cancer can be highly damaging, giving rise to stigma as well as negatively affecting the decisions we take when it comes to prevention, seeking help and accessing treatment. CANSA will be making material and resources available to the public as the campaign is rolled out.”

CANSA Screening

Women aged 18 to 69 years are encouraged to contact their CANSA Care Centre to make an appointment for a Pap smear at affordable rates and to mark it as an annual event on their calendar.

As part of our screening programme, CANSA makes use of the most trusted and clinically proven liquid-based cytology method when collecting a sample during a Pap smear. Pap smears help us identify abnormal cells on the cervix (lower womb) caused by HPV which can lead to cancer. Should the result indicate an abnormality, CANSA can help with a referral within the public health care sector or to a medical practitioner.

It’s very important that women do not stay away when they receive abnormal results. Cervical cancer is highly treatable if caught in the early stages and treatment should start as soon as possible for optimum results.

* The National Department of Health’s Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy allows for women aged 30 years and older to have three Pap smears in their lifetime at 30, 40 and 50 at public health clinics at no cost (non -symptomatic).  If women experience abnormal symptoms, they can request a Pap smear at local government clinics. CANSA provides Pap smear screening at affordable rates through CANSA Care Centres. HIV positive women are eligible for a Pap smear at diagnosis and every three years thereafter if negative for cervical cancer (yearly if screening is positive).(2)

References:

(1) International Papilloma Virus Society (IPVS) 2021 Campaign Guide
(2) National Department of Health South Africa (2017) ‘Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control Policy’
https://www.cansa.org.za/files/2021/03/cervical_cancer_prevention_and_control_policy.pdf
(3) Cohen PA, JhingranA, Oaknin A, Denny L. Cervical cancer. Lancet. 2019; 393 (10167): 169-82