Gauteng residents are being urged to prioritise their health and go for regular check-ups as cervical cancer screenings across the province surged by 29% over the past year.
The spike highlights growing local awareness of a disease that remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among South African women, despite being almost entirely preventable through early detection.
According to Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) spokesperson Steve Mabona, nearly 200 000 women were screened for cervical cancer during the 2025/26 financial year.
For locals, early screening is often the difference between a simple, outpatient procedure and life-threatening advanced disease.
Cervical cancer typically develops slowly without early symptoms, making routine tests crucial for identifying abnormal cells before they turn cancerous.
When caught early, the survival rate is remarkably high, easing the emotional and financial burden on families.
Mabona said while public health campaigns are driving women into clinics, the Department is actively looking for ways to reach those still hesitant or unable to access care.
“While Gauteng has made progress in increasing access to cervical cancer screening, more eligible women need to be reached,” Mabona said.
He emphasised that screening must link directly to full treatment pathways so that women diagnosed with abnormalities receive immediate, life-saving follow-up care.
Mabona said the province’s drive aligns with South Africa’s new Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategic Framework (2026–2030) and the World Health Organization’s “90-70-90” global targets.
“These targets aim to ensure 90% of girls are vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) by age 15, 70% of women undergo high-performance screening, and 90% of those diagnosed receive timely treatment,” he said.
He highlighted that prevention starts young and said during the same 2025/26 period, 81 989 Grade 5 girls in Gauteng received HPV vaccinations, including 72 249 in public schools and 9 740 in independent schools.
With September marked as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and International Gynaecological Health Day observed on 10 September, health officials are reminding community members that free screening services are accessible at local primary healthcare clinics throughout Gauteng.
