Johannesburg: As the country joins the global community in marking four years of the global movement known as the Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, the Department of Health has expressed confidence in the nation’s progress in combating cervical cancer. Through expanded screening and testing initiatives, the country is making strides toward preventing cervical cancer as a public health challenge.

According to South African Government News Agency, the country has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer among women and faces a significant burden, with an estimated 13,800 new cases annually. The World Health Organisation has identified cervical cancer as the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with around 660,000 new cases and approximately 350,000 deaths in 2022.

The Department of Health stated that in South Africa, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in women. The disease can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly. The Cervical Cancer Eliminati
on Day of Action, observed annually on 17 November, marks a historic commitment made in 2020 by 194 countries, including South Africa, to eliminate cervical cancer. This campaign aligns with the launch of the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to achieve this groundbreaking goal.

The government has introduced several interventions to prevent cervical cancer among women, including the launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in 2014. This initiative aims to reduce the incidence of cancer of the cervix, primarily targeting all girls in grade 5, aged 9 years and older, in all public and special schools. To date, between 85% and 89% of targeted girls have received one or more doses, with studies showing that vaccination in late childhood or early adolescence is effective as strong immunity develops before the onset of sexual activity.

Over this period, more than 7.1 million doses have been administered, and over 4 million girl learners have been protected. It is estimated that appr
oximately 85% of girls aged 9 to 15 years in public schools and around 75% of all girls in this age group in South Africa have been vaccinated and are protected from developing cervical cancer. The program has been extended to private schools this year to ensure no girl is left behind, regardless of medical aid status.

The success of the HPV vaccination programme in South Africa has been attributed to high-level political commitment by the Ministries of Health and Basic Education, civil society, parents, school governing bodies, and dedicated funding from the National Treasury. This year’s commemoration focuses on healthcare workers’ commitment to the fight against cervical cancer, encapsulated in the theme: ‘Elevating Frontline Health Workers: Transforming Global Commitments into Lifesaving Actions.’ It underscores the critical role that healthcare professionals play in enhancing awareness, screening, and treatment of cervical cancer.

Healthcare workers are pivotal in implementing cervical cancer screening
programs and educating communities about prevention. Their knowledge and attitudes significantly influence screening uptake among women. Studies have shown that inadequate knowledge and misconceptions among healthcare workers can lead to suboptimal care for cervical cancer patients, highlighting the necessity for continuous education and training. Hence, the Department of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, is rolling out capacity training for clinicians in provinces to improve their confidence in performing cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment procedures.

A total of 405,299 girl learners, representing 88.6% of the target population, received HPV vaccination during the February/March 2024 round of HPV vaccinations against cervical cancer. To date, 17 of the country’s 52 health districts have begun using HPV testing, with more districts expected to start during the current financial year. While the country is making progress with HPV vaccination, the department noted th
at cervical screening and treatment are lagging behind. Thus, the department has reminded parents and caregivers to ensure that all eligible girls who missed an HPV dose should receive catch-up doses offered in primary health facilities free of charge.