Gauteng has recorded a 29% increase in cervical cancer screening during the 2025/26 financial year, the provincial health department said, a gain provincial officials link to intensified awareness drives across all five districts.
Screening and vaccination figures
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) reported that 198,611 women were screened for cervical abnormalities in 2025/26, compared with 153,703 the year before — an additional 44,908 women accessing screening services that can detect pre‑cancerous changes.
| Financial year | Number screened |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 153,703 |
| 2025/26 | 198,611 |
GDoH spokesperson Steve Mabona said the upward trend began after targeted awareness campaigns were implemented from the third quarter of the 2025/26 year. The department identified West Rand as the district with the greatest improvement, while Ekurhuleni was flagged for further targeted intervention to raise uptake.
“The improvement is attributed to cervical cancer awareness drives implemented across all five districts from the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year,” said Mabona.
Vaccination campaign complements screening
The department said the increase in screening complements a single‑dose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at eligible Grade 5 girls aged nine and older. During 2025/26, 72,249 Grade 5 learners were vaccinated at public schools and a further 9,740 at independent schools.
- 72,249 — Grade 5 girls vaccinated at public schools (2025/26)
- 9,740 — vaccinated at independent schools (2025/26)
- Screening increase: 44,908 more women screened compared with 2024/25
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Faith Mazibuko, said the numbers show the importance of giving women access to information and services that can prevent deaths.
“Every woman who goes for screening is taking charge of her health, her future and the wellbeing of her family,” Mazibuko said, adding that gains were encouraging but more work was needed so every eligible woman understands and can access screening.
Why this matters locally
The World Health Organization classifies cervical cancer as a leading cause of cancer‑related deaths among women in sub‑Saharan Africa, but also stresses that it is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening and curable when detected early and treated promptly. Provincial gains in screening and vaccination therefore have direct implications for reducing morbidity and mortality among Gauteng women.
Health officials stressed that awareness activities — including community outreach and school‑based vaccination — remain central to sustaining progress. The GDoH said it will continue awareness campaigns into the 2026/27 year and will provide further training for Ward‑Based Primary Health Care Outreach teams to support uptake.
What residents should know
Women of screening age in Gauteng who have not yet had a cervical screening should check with their local clinic about eligibility and appointment procedures. Parents of Grade 5 girls should expect school‑based vaccination outreach and can ask their school for information on dates and consent processes.
While the department highlighted district improvements, it also signalled ongoing focus on areas with lower uptake. Locally targeted outreach, mobile services and school campaigns are the immediate levers health officials plan to use to close remaining gaps.
For now, the provincial figures offer a cautious cause for optimism: more women are being reached with screening, and tens of thousands of young girls have received a vaccine that reduces the risk of HPV infection — a key driver of cervical cancer.
