By the time most women get around to booking a Pap smear, it’s often already overdue. Between work, family and the mental load of daily life, preventative health checks down the list of priorities, but when it comes to cervical cancer, later can be too late.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it is the second most prevalent type of cancer affecting South African women. The tragedy is that, in most cases, the disease could be caught early or avoided altogether through regular Pap smears and early treatment of abnormal cells.
“When cervical cancer is diagnosed late, treatment becomes more invasive, more expensive and survival rates drop dramatically,” says Dr Themba Hadebe, Clinical Executive at Bonitas. “If abnormal cells are picked up during a Pap smear, they can often be treated before they ever become cancer.”
For most women, Pap smears should be done every three years between the ages of 21 and 29. From age 30 onward, there are two screening options: a Pap test every three years or an HPV PCR test every five years. If previous results have been consistently normal, screening may no longer be necessary after age 65.
The hidden costs of skipping your Pap smear
Problematically, there aren’t many noticeable signs and symptoms in the early days of cervical cancer, and by the time symptoms like unusual bleeding, pelvic pain or discharge appear, the cancer is often advanced. It’s also worth noting that survival rates plummet the later it’s caught.
Along with the negative physical health implications of neglecting cervical cancer screening, there is also the financial and emotional costs that come with treating advantaged stage cancer.
“A late diagnosis means exorbitantly high medical bills, since treating advanced cancer can run into hundreds of thousands of rands. Compared to the simple act and lesser cost of a screening, the better choice is of course prevention over cure.”
Medical schemes like Bonitas are stepping up by covering Pap smears in their preventative care benefits, tackling one of the biggest barriers to cervical cancer screening head-on – cost.
“We don’t want our members to think of their medical aid as just something that’s there when they’re sick. Taking proactive measures to protect your health is crucial and starts with something as simple as booking that screening,” adds Dr Hadebe.
If it’s been more than three years since your last test, or you can’t remember, book your Pap smear now. Cervical cancer is preventable, but only if abnormal cells are detected early. Waiting until symptoms appear could mean the difference between a simple procedure and a life-threatening diagnosis.
For 2025 we have a renewed Female Health Programme:In collaboration with CareWorks, it’s accessible to all female members aged 18 and above, with an emphasis on preventative care and early detection of female-specific health issues. In addition, we have an enhanced Maternity Programme to support expecting mothers. This includes early identification of and weekly engagement for high-risk pregnancies, post-childbirth care and associated mental health follow-up calls for new mums, given the prevalence of pre and postnatal depression. Also, milestone reminders for children under 3 and cover for antenatal vitamins through savings, day-to-day benefits or the Benefit Booster
Bonitas Medical Fund
0860 002 108
View Website: www.bonitas.co.za
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