Cervical cancer
Pap smears – a small inconvenience with huge benefits
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer in South African women. One in every 35 women in South Africa will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in her lifetime. This cancer often affects young women, but can affect women of all ages.
Luckily, there’s a good chance of recovery if you catch it early. By knowing your body, what’s normal for you and going for regular screenings, you can prevent cancer from sneaking up on you.
Our bodies produce new cells all the time and sometimes these cells are abnormal. Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be successfully treated if it is found early – usually through a Pap smear.
Most cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus
Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus, or HPV. You can get the virus by having sexual contact with someone who has the virus. There are different types of the virus and not all cause cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts while other types may not cause any symptoms.
Luckily, we can vaccinate against human papillomavirus. Young men and women between the ages of 9 and 26 can be vaccinated for virus types 16 and 18 of HPV. This vaccination can be obtained at a network pharmacy and/or per referral from your GP. Please consult with your treating doctor for more information in this regard.
What a Pap smear is
Early cervical precancers or cancers often have no signs or symptoms. That is why it is important for women to have regular Pap smears. A Pap smear can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.
During a Pap smear, the doctor scrapes a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix to look for cell changes. If a Pap smear shows abnormal cells, your doctor may do other tests to look for precancerous or cancer cells on your cervix.
Most abnormal results are caused by an infection or the presence of treatable precancerous cells, rather than cancer itself.
How often your medical scheme pays for a Pap smear
It is important to be proactive about your health and to ensure that you get screened appropriately and responsibly. The screening and prevention benefit on TFG Medical Aid Scheme sets out the cover available for Pap smear and you are guided by the Benefit Guide issued each year. Alternatively you may contact the service centre at 0860 123 077 to confirm your available benefit.
Resources
- American Cancer Society. Cervical cancer. www.cancer.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cervical cancer. www.cdc.gov
- CANSA. www.cansa.org.za