There are plenty of ways to celebrate Women’s Month, but looking after your health should be somewhere near the top of the list. And if “book a Pap smear” has been sitting on your mental to-do list for longer than you’d like to admit, consider this your gentle nudge to finally make the appointment.
Cervical cancer remains a serious health concern in South Africa, but it is also a cancer where prevention and early detection can make a significant difference.
Regular screening can identify abnormal changes before they develop into cancer, giving you and your healthcare provider a chance to act early.
In South Africa, cervical cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among South African women.
Yet many cases can be prevented through HPV vaccination and regular screening.
The important thing to remember is that you don't have to wait until something feels wrong. Cervical cancer can have no obvious symptoms in its early stages, which is exactly why routine screening is so important.
Merilynn Steenkamp 22 Jan 2026 So, what exactly is HPV?
Human papillomavirus, better known as HPV, is an extremely common virus that most people will encounter at some point in their lives. Most HPV infections clear naturally, but certain high-risk types can persist and cause changes to the cells of the cervix, which may eventually develop into cervical cancer.
HPV is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer, with types 16 and 18 among the high-risk strains most strongly associated with the disease.
And while hearing that might sound alarming, there is some very reassuring news: HPV-related cervical changes can often be detected before they become cancerous.
Your Pap smear deserves a spot on the calendar
A Pap smear is a screening test that checks cells collected from the cervix for abnormalities. Detecting these changes early means they can be monitored or treated before they develop further.
The test itself is usually quick. Is it the most glamorous way to spend a few minutes? Absolutely not. But it is over quickly, and that small amount of discomfort could make a very big difference to your health.
HPV testing can also be used as part of cervical cancer screening to identify high-risk HPV infections.
And importantly, you don't need to wait for symptoms to book a screening. Regular checks are about prevention, not panic.
A few Women’s Month specials worth knowing about
If cost has been one of the reasons you've been putting your health check off, there are a few Women’s Month offers that make getting screened a little easier.
At Dis-Chem Clinics, women aged 21 to 45 can book a Women’s Health Check for R490 cash, valid from 3 August to 11 September 2026. The check includes an LBC Pap smear, HPV rapid test, blood pressure, BMI, breast examination, blood glucose, total cholesterol, haemoglobin and HbA1c.
Clicks Clinics is offering a breast screening and Pap smear for R300 throughout August, with the offer valid until 31 August 2026.
UniCare is offering a Pap smear for R449 from 11 August to 11 September. The package includes a breast examination, consultation, blood pressure and urine test, as well as the Pap smear and laboratory fee. The offer is available to women aged 21 to 50 by appointment.
One appointment, big peace of mind
HPV vaccination, regular screening and early treatment all have an important role to play in reducing the risk of cervical cancer. And even if you've had the HPV vaccine, screening remains important.
So, this Women’s Month, add something a little more meaningful to the list of ways you're celebrating yourself. Book the appointment, get the screening and ask the questions you've been meaning to ask.
Your health deserves a spot on the calendar, too.
