South Africa: Gauteng Reports 29% Increase in Cervical Cancer Screenings

What the report says

Gauteng’s health department says cervical cancer screenings have risen by 29% across the province, according to a report distributed by AllAfrica from SAnews.gov.za. The update was released as South Africa marked the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March and National Women’s Day events, with provincial officials using the occasion to highlight access to women’s health services.

The department said 198,611 women were screened in the 2025/26 financial year, up from 153,703 in 2024/25. Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Faith Mazibuko said the increase shows the value of expanding health information and screening access. Provincial officials said awareness campaigns across all five districts, beginning in the third quarter of the 2025/26 year, contributed to the higher uptake. The West Rand showed the biggest improvement, while Ekurhuleni has been identified for additional outreach.

The report also placed the provincial effort in a wider public health context, noting that cervical cancer remains a major cause of cancer deaths among women in sub-Saharan Africa. It said the disease can often be prevented through HPV vaccination and routine screening, and treated successfully when found early.

Gauteng’s screening drive is being paired with a single-dose HPV vaccination campaign for eligible Grade 5 girls. The department said it vaccinated 72,249 girls at public schools and 9,740 at independent schools in the 2025/26 period, and plans further awareness work and household visits in the current financial year.