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Regular Pap smears
can save your life
Cervical cancer affects
more South African women
than any other cancer
What is cervical cancer?
The cervix is the lower part or mouth of the
uterus (womb)
It is one of the most common cancers among
South African women
Cervical cancer
does not develop
suddenly
There is a gradual
change from normal
cervical cells,
through various
levels of
abnormality, to precancer lesions and
eventually to cancer
This whole process
What is a Pap smear?
A pap smear is a procedure that is done to
detect early cell changes in the neck of the
womb
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
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 from the entrance of the womb, a
medical practitioner inserts an instrument called
a speculum into the vaginal canal
Cervical cells are then collected from the
surface of the cervix 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
If abnormal
cells are
detected, you
will be referred
for treatment to
prevent
development of
cancer of the
cervix
What is CANSA doing to help?
We help to make sure that South
African women have access to
potentially life-saving Pap smears
Our eight mobile clinics travel to
remote areas throughout South
Africa to reach women who would
otherwise not have access to Pap
smears
Let’s talk numbers
In the past year, CANSA screened
10 400 women for cervical cancer
CANSA also facilitated an additional
4 033 Pap smears in partnership with
the Department of Health
One of CANSA’s mobile clinics creating
awareness and doing free screening in
the Clanwilliam district
One of CANSA’s mobile clinics
creating awareness and doing free
screening in the Northern Free
State
Are you at risk for cervical
cancer?
You have an increased risk for
cervical cancer if...
You've had persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections
HPV infection of the cervix is the primary risk factor for cervical cancer and
is associated with 70% of all cases
What is HPV?
Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) is a group of
more than 100 related viruses
HPVs are transmitted via skin-to-skin contact
and body fluids
About 40 HPV types are sexually transmitted
and spread through genital contact
Some HPVs, such as those that cause the
common warts that grow on hands and feet, do
not spread easily
It has been
estimated that
HPV infection
accounts for
approximately
5% of all
cancers
worldwide
What is HPV?
About 15 high-risk HPV types (also
called oncogenic or carcinogenic HPVs)
have been identified
HPV vaccines prevents 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
cancers
70% of anal cancers
50% of vaginal and
vulvar cancers
50% of penile cancers
20% of head and neck
cancers
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 immunesuppressing drugs for auto-immune diseases or after organ transplants are more likely to develop cervical cancer
You have an increased risk for
cervical cancer if...
You've had many sexual partners ...
or your partner had (or has) lots of partners
Many sexual partners increases your risk of HPV infections
Being sexually active from a very young age increases
exposure to many partners
Women in homosexual relationships should also be screened regularly
as HPV is passed through 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 to detect cervical cancer is the single most
effective cancer screening procedure
You have an increased risk for
cervical cancer if...
You're a smoker
Recent research established that smoking increases
cervical cancer risk with 50%
You have an increased risk for
cervical cancer if...
You're of child-bearing age (18-40)
Most high risk pre-cancerous lesions are found in women of childbearing age
Also, multiple pregnancies increase the risk of cervical cancer when
between 5 to 7 full-term pregnancies have been experienced
Just remember...
It is possible
to develop
cervical cancer
with or
without the risk
factors we’ve
discussed
The more risk
factors you
have,
the greater
your likelihood
of developing
cervical cancer
If you have a
number of risk
factors,
find out from your
health practitioner
or CANSA Care
Centre
what you can do to
reduce your risk
Cervical screening
is available at
CANSA’s Mobile
Clinics and
Care Centres
country-wide
Join the fight against
cervical cancer...
Get screened
Make a donation
Become a member
Sign up as a volunteer
To assist CANSA expand
its cancer screening programmes,
please consider making a donation
at any of our more than
50 CANSA Care Centres
country-wide
Any questions?
Toll-Free 0800 22 66 22
www.cansa.org.za