This course aims to equip medical officers to improve cervical cancer prevention through a comprehensive approach, by focusing on colposcopy, lesion grading and pre-cancer treatment, ensuring early detection and effective intervention.

About the course

  • Course Design: Self-directed

  • Duration: It will take you 3 hours to complete.

  • Eligibility for this course:
    • Medical Officers working in the Western Cape, but specifically those working in women's health, in Western Cape Government facilities.
    • Completed Cervical Cancer Prevention course.

  • Accreditation: This course is accredited for: HPCSA: Level 1 - 1 Clinical CPD point; 2 Ethical CPD points; SANC: 3 CPD points in Area of Practice.

  • Certification: Participants need 70% pass mark for final quiz.

  • Published: July 2026

If you meet the eligibility criteria, apply to start:

Your supervisor details are required

Apply to enroll

Course outline

This course covers the following content:

Content outline: 

Chapter 1: Cervical anatomy and the transformation zone

  • Cervical anatomy: the squamocolumnar junction and transformation zone
  • Transformation zone types (1–3) and why they matter for treatment
  • The WHO 90/70/90 elimination targets
  • The screen, triage and treat approach and where colposcopy fits

 Chapter 2: Colposcopy setup and instruments

  • Indications for colposcopy
  • Setting up the colposcope and workspace
  • Instruments, consumables and solutions (acetic acid, Lugol's iodine)
  • Infection control

Chapter 3: Performing and documenting the procedure

  • Step-by-step colposcopic examination
  • Applying acetic acid and Lugol's iodine
  • The Swede score
  • Documenting findings using IFCPC terminology
  • Biopsy technique and specimen handling

Chapter 4: Benign cervical conditions

  • Recognising normal and benign findings
  • Ectropion, Nabothian cysts, polyps, metaplasia and inflammation
  • Distinguishing benign appearances from pre-cancer
  • When to reassure versus refer

Chapter 5: Identification and grading, part 1

  • Grade 1 and Grade 2 colposcopic signs
  • Acetowhite epithelium, borders, mosaic and punctation
  • Major high-grade signs: sharp border, inner border, ridge and rag
  • LSIL/HSIL–CIN correlation
  • Lugol's iodine uptake and the Schiller test

Chapter 6: Identification and grading, part 2 — scoring, invasion and case studies

  • Applying the Swede score in practice
  • Vascular patterns and signs suggestive of invasion
  • Squamous versus glandular disease
  • Worked colposcopic case studies

Chapter 7: Treatment, part 1 — ablation

  • The NDoH 2026 screen, triage and treat algorithm and treatment indications
  • Ablative eligibility criteria
  • Thermal ablation (the preferred method): technique, aftercare and follow-up
  • Cryotherapy (fallback when thermal ablation is unavailable)
  • HPV test of cure

Chapter 8: Treatment, part 2 — excisional methods

  • LLETZ: indications and technique
  • Cold-knife conisation (by referral) for glandular or microinvasive disease
  • Margins and histology
  • Complications and obstetric considerations
  • Follow-up and HPV test of cure


Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness
People Development Centre

Acknowledgements:

  • Knowledge Translation Unit