Healthy Cervix

WHAT?

At-home sample collection device to check if you have been exposed to high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). Laboratory results are provided within 5 days.

WHY?

HPV – a viral infection that affects both men and women – is the most common sexually transmitted disease. There are more than 100 different strains of the virus and it is estimated that around 60% of all sexually active individuals in South Africa will contract it at some point in their lives.

Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and can be cleared by the immune system. On the other hand, some high-risk strains of HPV can cause genital warts and are responsible for 99% of cervical cancer cases. In South Africa, cervical cancer is the leading cause of female cancer deaths among women aged 15 – 44 years.

But cervical cancer caused by HPV is totally preventable if it is detected early through regular screening. While the gold standard for cervical cancer screening used to be the Pap smear, recent studies have shown that HPV screening is much more accurate.

WHO & WHY?

According to South African guidelines for HPV screening, all women should start undergoing HPV screening from the age of 25, with repeat screenings every 5 years (or 3 years if they are HIV-positive).

Risk factors for HPV infection include engaging in unprotected sex, becoming sexually active at an early age, having multiple sexual partners, early pregnancy, using hormonal contraception and having a co-infection with HIV or other STIs. Infection is possible in monogamous relationships so the risk is not limited to those who have multiple partners.

HOW?

This sample kit contains a sterile device that allows you to carry out an HPV / cervical cancer screening test by yourself at home – simply and painlessly. The device (imported from the Netherlands) is called the Evalyn® Brush* which enables the retrieval of a sample from the surface of your cervix, without the assistance of a medical professional. It has been extensively tested and is also currently used by Lancet Laboratories. The device is designed to keep the sample intact for a few days while it is transported back to the BioSmart laboratory for molecular analysis.

The test can detect the following high-risk HPV genotypes: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68.

Once the self-sampling kit is received, follow all the instructions carefully.

Your cervix health report will come in an easy-to-understand format with a detailed explanation of results, what they mean and your next steps.

*Used in the Dutch and Danish national cervical cancer screening programs.