UKZN launches drive to combat cervical cancer

UKZN's Department of of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and KZN-DOH have partnered with CANSA to promote awareness of cervical cancer, as well as to increase screening coverage throughout the province in the month of April.

UKZN Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Prof Motshedisi Sebitloane launched Umdlavuza "Pap Smear" Drive during the 37th National Congress of the South African Society of Obstetrics & Gynaecologists, themed "Advocating Equitable Access to Women's Health which was recently held at the Durban International Conference Centre ICC).

The Umdlavuza "Pap Smear" Drive aims to increase community awareness about cervical cancer, and to encourage previously unscreened women be screened for cervical cancer throughout the month of April. Most importantly, the drive is aimed at setting a new record of the total number of cervical smears performed in one day in one setting, and informing as many women as possible about how to prevent cancer of the cervix and to empower them to do so by offering screening to as many eligible women as possible.

KZN DOH will work closely with the Department of Health in the districts, municipalities, mayoral offices, all relevant and available support structures, the traditional healers, faith-based organisations, schools and all treatment action campaign sites to educate, mobilise and screen communities, focusing specifically on previously disadvantaged communities and on curbing the escalating numbers of cancer cases in these communities.

In April 2018, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health (Mother, Child and Women's Health directorate), and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, together with CANSA, and other stakeholders, will undertake a province-wide campaign to raise awareness about cervical cancer and how it can be prevented by screening. This will culminate in an attempt to set the new Guinness World Record for the most pap smears performed under one roof in one day. This will take place on Saturday 21 April in Ethekwini District, with the target being 1 000 pap smears.

"Eligible women include all women over 30 years (n >1,1 mil in KZN), as well as all HIV-infected women, irrespective of age....n=130 000 women

"We believe this will create greater awareness around cancer prevention, not only in our province, but countrywide, and will encourage a greater focus on cancer prevention activities and strategies which will ultimately lead to a reduction in the number of new cancer of the cervix cases in KZN and South Africa. The Health MEC, Dr SM Dhlomo, declared during a 2009/10 budget policy statement; 'if at all women in KZN will die; they will not die of cervical cancer'," continued Prof Sebitloane.

This will culminate in concentrated screening on 20 April (all health facilities offering maternity services in the province), and for women residing in Ethekwini, screening will take place on 21 April at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. All eligible* women are urged to present themselves or encourage those closest for screening (*eligible = anyone who has never had a pap smear and is >30years of age, or last smear >10 years ago. If HIV infected, anyone with no previous smear, or last smear >3years.