How Cervical Cancer is Detected
Knowing how cervical cancer is detected helps you understand your
health better. In South Africa women can access free cervical cancer
screening in all public health facilities.
Listen: How cervical cancer is detected in isiXhosa
Listen: How cervical cancer is detected in isiZulu
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Your Health, Your Life, Your Choice
Why is Screening Important?
- Cervical cancer can be prevented if caught early
- Screening helps detect changes in the cervix before cancer develops
- Early detection means better treatment and a higher chance of survival
Who Should Get Screened?
- Women aged 30 and above
- Eligible for free Pap smears in public clinics
- Recommended every 10 years if you have no symptoms or risk factors
- Women living with HIV
- Start screening as soon as sexually active
- Get tested every 3 years
What Happens During Screening?
- A nurse or doctor will:
- Collect a sample of cells from your cervix
- Send the sample to a lab for testing
- Results are usually available in a few weeks
How to Prepare for Your Test
- Plan ahead – Try to schedule your test when you’re not on your perod
- Avoid vaginal creams, medicines or douching for 48 hours before the test.
What Happens Next?
NORMAL RESULTS?
Come back in 10 years (or 3 years if HIV positive)
ABNORMAL RESULTS?
You may need more tests like a colposcopy or biopsy
Where Can You Get Screened?
- Visit your nearest public clinic or hospital offering cervical cancer screening
- Ask a nurse or health worker for more information
REMEMBER
Cervical cancer often has no symptoms early on
SCREENING CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE
HPV SCREENING
Self-sampling kits can be bought from private labs such as Ampath, Lancet and Pathcare.
Click here to watch a video on self-sampling
Follow-up Examinations
If initial tests show abnormal results, your healthcare provider may recommend further test for a more detailed examination of your cervix.
Biopsy Procedures
A biopsy takes a small sample of tissue to check for abnormal or cancerous cells. This helps doctors decide on the best treatment.
Staging & Additional Testing
If cancer is confirmed, imaging tests like CT scans, MRIs, or PET scans may be used to determine if the cancer has spread and establish a treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Pap-smear test painful?
A Pap smear might feel a bit uncomfortable, but it usually isn’t painful. It only takes a few minutes, and some women feel mild cramping or pressure during the test.
What happens if my test results are abnormal?
Abnormal results don’t necessarily mean cancer. They often indicate the presence of cell changes that may need further evaluation. Your doctor will recommend appropriate follow-up testing, which may include repeat testing, or a biopsy.
What are imaging tests?
A CT scan (or CAT scan) is a test that uses X-rays and a computer to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It shows things like bones, organs, and tissues more clearly than a regular X-ray.
You lie still on a table that moves through a big, doughnut-shaped machine. Sometimes, you may be given a special dye (called contrast) to help certain areas show up better.
The scan is painless and usually takes just a few minutes.
An MRI scan uses strong magnets and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the inside of your body, like your brain, spine, or organs.
You lie on a table that slides into a large tube-shaped machine. It doesn’t use X-rays, and the scan is painless, but the machine can be loud, so you might wear earplugs or headphones.
It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, and you need to lie still during the scan.
A PET scan is a test that helps doctors see how your organs and tissues are working. It uses a small amount of a safe, radioactive substance (called a tracer) that shows up on the scan.
You get the tracer through a small injection, and then lie on a table that moves through a big camera. The scan takes pictures of how the tracer moves in your body, which helps find things like cancer or problems with your heart or brain.
The test is painless and usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
