The City of Cape Town’s Health Department plans to increase its awareness and education drives around female health to try and increase the number of cervical (pap) smears conducted at public health facilities.
In the last financial year, 57 056 women over the age of 30 had the procedure at clinics and community health centres in Cape Town, equating to 54% of the target group.
‘While we accept that many women have the procedure done by private healthcare practitioners, the number of clients at public health facilities is simply not good enough. It is of grave concern when one considers that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in South African women and can be treated if detected early enough,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.
Cervical smears are crucial to detect early warning signs of cervical cancer. In terms of the National Public Health Policy, women should have three pap smears, at the ages of 30, 40 and 50. However, should women experience irregular bleeding or discharges, they are urged to visit their nearest clinic for assistance.
Some of the risk factors that could potentially increase a woman’s chances of developing cervical cancer include human papilloma virus infection (HPV – the most commonly known sexually transmitted infection), a weakened immune system, obesity, and smoking.
‘If there is a family history of the disease, this too is a risk factor so I encourage women to familiarise themselves with health issues in their family so that they can better protect themselves. Part of the problem is that we as a society don’t speak openly enough about these issues. Interestingly, it’s open season on topics like diabetes, hypertension and the like, but few venture below the belt to address issues like cervical cancer and even prostate cancer in men, not to mention HIV. Education and awareness are key to any health challenge and we can’t spread the message if people refuse to talk openly about it,’ added Alderman Smith.
City Health will look to ramp up its outreach visits to workplaces and other community events where the target group is present. In addition, the City also provides after-hours services at some facilities to make healthcare more accessible to clients, in line with the goals of the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan to take services directly to residents.
Women are also encouraged to use condoms during intercourse for protection from HPV and other sexually transmitted infections to reduce their risk. City clinics distribute male and female condoms free of charge. In the last financial year, more than 54 million male condoms were distributed and more than 1,3 million female condoms.