HPV Awareness Day – Protecting South African Women from Cervical Cancer

03/03/2025
Women's Health
4 min read

March 4th is International HPV Awareness Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about Human Papillomavirus (HPV), its link to cervical cancer, and the importance of prevention. This year’s theme, “The World’s Most Viral Secret”, with the call to action #AskAboutHPV, encourages open conversations about this preventable disease.

In South Africa, the situation with cervical cancer is urgent. It’s the second most common cancer among women and the leading cancer in women aged 15–44 years. Approximately 10,702 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, and 5,870 die from it(2). This urgent situation calls for immediate action through education, vaccination, and regular screening to reduce these numbers and protect the health of future generations.

What Is HPV? 

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. It spreads through:

  • Vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected person (even if they are asymptomatic).
  • Close skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.
  • Rarely, through non-sexual means like contaminated surfaces or objects (6).

While most infections resolve on their own, certain high-risk HPV types (such as types 16 and 18) can cause cervical cancer and other cancers. In South Africa, 64.2% of invasive cervical cancers are caused by HPV types 16 and 18 (2).

The Burden of Cervical Cancer in South Africa 

South Africa has one of the highest cervical cancer burdens globally:

  • Cervical cancer accounts for 35.6 new cases per 100,000 women annually, far higher than the global average (2).
  • Women living with HIV are particularly vulnerable, being six times more likely to develop cervical cancer than HIV-negative women (1).

Despite these alarming statistics, it’s important to remember that cervical cancer is highly preventable through vaccination and regular screening. This knowledge empowers us to take action and protect ourselves and our loved ones, instilling a sense of hope in the fight against this disease.

Prevention Through Vaccination 

The South African government has taken a proactive step in the fight against cervical cancer by introducing a school-based HPV vaccination program in 2014. This initiative aims to protect young girls before they are exposed to the virus. This year’s campaign runs from February 2 to March 31 and offers a single-dose Cervarix vaccine free of charge to girls aged 9 and older in public and special schools (5).

Why Is Vaccination Important? 

  1. Prevents Cancer: Vaccines protect against high-risk HPV types responsible for over 70% of cervical cancers (1).
  2. Safe and Effective: The vaccine does not contain live virus or DNA, making it safe for children and adults (1).
  3. Early Protection: Vaccination is most effective when administered before exposure to HPV (i.e., before becoming sexually active) (4).

If your child misses the school program, private healthcare providers offer affordable vaccines like Gardasil and Cervarix.

Screening Saves Lives 

Vaccination alone is not enough—regular screening remains essential for early detection of precancerous changes in the cervix. In South Africa:

  • Women aged 25–55 years should undergo screening every five years using cytology or every ten years using an HPV test (2).
  • HIV-positive women require more frequent screenings due to their higher risk of developing cervical cancer (3).

The BetterGyn Clinical Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening in South Africa recommend starting screening at age 25 for all women, with intervals adjusted based on risk factors such as HIV status or previous abnormal results. High-risk HPV testing offers superior sensitivity compared to other screening methods (7).

Routine screening is not just a precaution; it’s a life-saving measure. It allows for early intervention, which is key to significantly reducing the risk of invasive cancer.

How NeoHealth Supports Women’s Health 

At NeoHealth, we are dedicated to empowering our community with accessible healthcare solutions tailored to your needs:

  • Cervical Cancer Screening: We offer advanced diagnostic tools, such as Pap smears and HPV-PCR testing, for the early detection of precancerous lesions.
  • Education & Advocacy: Our team is passionate about raising awareness around preventable diseases like cervical cancer through community outreach programs.

While we do not currently offer vaccinations at our clinic, we encourage parents to participate in the government’s school-based program or explore private vaccination options for their children.

Take Action This International HPV Awareness Day! 

This March 4th, let’s work together to break the silence around “The World’s Most Viral Secret.” Protect yourself and your loved ones by taking these steps today:

  1. Ensure your child receives a free school-based HPV vaccine before March 31st (5).
  2. Schedule regular cervical cancer screenings if you’re over 25 years old or HIV-positive (3).
  3. Share this information using hashtags like #AskAboutHPV #HPVAwareness #CervicalCancerPrevention to spread awareness in your community.

Spread the word! Share this vital information using hashtags like #AskAboutHPV #HPVAwareness #onelessworry #CervicalCancerPrevention to help us reach more people and increase awareness in your community. Together, we can reduce the burden of cervical cancer in South Africa and protect future generations.

REFERENCES:

  1. World Health Organization. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-and-cancer[Accessed 24 February 2025].
  2. ICO/IARC HPV Information Centre. South Africa: Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2023. Available from: https://hpvcentre.net/statistics/reports/ZAF_FS.pdf [Accessed 21 February 2025].
  3. Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). Prevention and early detection may stop HPV infection developing into cancer. Available from: https://cansa.org.za/prevention-and-early-detection-may-stop-hpv-infection-developing-into-cancer/ [Accessed 28 February 2025].
  4. ScienceDirect. HPV vaccination strategies for cervical cancer prevention in low- and middle-income countries. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X24011241 [Accessed 28 February 2025].
  5. Western Cape Government. Protect your daughter’s future – HPV vaccine saves lives. Available from: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/health-wellness/article/protect-your-daughters-future-hpv-vaccine-saves-lives [Accessed 10 February 2025].
  6. PubMed Central (PMC). Human papillomavirus transmission pathways and prevention strategies. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10688634/ [Accessed 26 February 2025].
  7. SASOG BetterGyn Clinical Guideline for Cervical Cancer Screening in South Africa – 2024 Update. Available from: https://sasog.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BetterGyn-Clinical-Guideline-for-cervical-cancer-screening-2024.pdf [Accessed 28 February 2025].
  8. Ask About HPV. Everything you need to know about HPV and cancer. Available from: https://www.askabouthpv.org [Accessed 28 February 2025].

All images are sourced from https://www.askabouthpv.org.

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