Although cervical cancer is now a vaccine-preventable disease, a woman dies every minute worldwide from cervical cancer, with women in low- and middle-income countries disproportionately affected.
In South Africa, explains a note sent to APA, more than 10,700 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year, with more than 5,800 deaths.
Cervical cancer is a preventable tragedy and South Africa has the tools and knowledge to reverse this trend.
The southern African country is making significant progress in expanding access to vaccination and screening, but significant obstacles remain.
Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, CEO of FIND, whose mission is #DiagnosisForAll, says: “The fight to eliminate cervical cancer is far from over, but there is hope on the horizon. FIND is working with the public and private sectors in South Africa to find innovative and scalable solutions to test for HPV.”
Recent research by FIND and its partners provides crucial information that could transform our approach to cervical cancer prevention and management.
The project explored the acceptability and demand for HPV self-collection tests among South African women as a means of increasing access to HPV screening.
Key findings from the surveys indicate that 58 percent of the women surveyed had little or no knowledge of cervical cancer or its link to HPV.
Some 46 percent cited nurses and doctors as their main sources of information, highlighting the crucial role of healthcare providers in education.
According to the surveys, 77 percent of respondents chose HPV DNA testing as their preferred method, due to its reliability and less invasive nature.
Of these, 71 percent preferred self-collection, citing confidentiality and convenience as the main reasons for their choice.
At the same time, 74 percent of women who preferred self-collection indicated that they would purchase the kits from pharmacies. Most respondents indicated that a price between 18 and 36 dollars would make the test more accessible.
One of the most striking findings of the research is the strong interest in HPV self-collection tests.
This innovative approach allows women to take charge of their health by collecting samples in the privacy of their own homes or in a convenient location.
The research also found that many women are willing to pay up to $36 (approximately 680 ZAR) for this service if it is available in pharmacies.
Self-collection tests eliminate the need for invasive pelvic exams in clinical settings, which many women find uncomfortable or stigmatising.
They also reduce the logistical challenges associated with accessing clinics, especially for women living in rural or underserved areas where health infrastructure is limited.
Making self-collection kits available in pharmacies could significantly increase screening rates and enable early diagnosis.
The Knowledge Gap Among Health Practitioners
While self-collection testing represents an exciting opportunity, its success depends on a well-informed and competent healthcare system.
Unfortunately, the research revealed a worrying lack of awareness of national cervical cancer management protocols among healthcare practitioners.
Without proper guidance, healthcare providers may not offer appropriate counselling, follow-up, or referrals for women with abnormal screening results.
Addressing this problem requires targeted training and capacity-building initiatives. FIND, in partnership with the National Department of Health (NDOH), trained more than 700 healthcare practitioners between September and October 2024.
The Public Awareness Deficit
It is equally concerning that there is a lack of information available to the public regarding cervical cancer, its causes, and prevention methods. Many women remain unaware of the importance of regular screening.
Through its community arm, the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Health in Africa, FIND, the NDOH, and private sector partners have engaged community partners to develop, adapt, and distribute more than 10,000 copies of materials to communities on cervical cancer prevention and treatment.
A Vision for the Future
To reduce the burden of cervical cancer in South Africa, we need a multi-pronged approach combining education, innovation, and systemic reform.
This includes policy support: advocating for policy changes to integrate self-collection testing into the national screening program and subsidise costs for low-income populations.
Expanding access to self-collection tests: making HPV self-collection kits widely available at affordable prices. Strengthening practitioner training: Ensuring healthcare providers are well-versed in national cervical cancer management protocols.
Reinforcing public awareness campaigns: Launching national initiatives to educate women and communities about cervical cancer prevention and the availability of new screening options.
TE/lb/jn/APA