Cervical Cancer Screening Test
About Cervical cancer screening
Cervical cancer is cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix (which connects the uterus and vagina). The majority of cervical cancers occur due to different strains of the sexually transmitted infection known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. Thus, getting your cervical cancer screening is recommended for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer-related adverse events.
Symptoms of Cervical cancer
Symptoms of cervical cancer include
Fatigue
Loss of weight
Difficulty in urination
Diarrhoea
Blood in urine
swelling of legs
Pelvic pain
Rectal bleeding
Foul discharge from the vagina
Vaginal bleeding after intercourse
Heavier menstrual periods
What does cervical cancer screening consist of?
Cervical cancer screening consists of:
Pap test:
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A pap test, commonly known as a pap smear, identifies alterations in your cervical cells that show the potential development of cancer. Your doctor will remove cells from your cervix during a pap test, which will then be evaluated in a lab for precancerous alterations. Early detection of cervical cancer by identification of abnormal cells using a pap smear, can improve the treatment outcomes and chances of survival
Human papillomavirus (HPV) test
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This test looks for the high-risk HPV strain which is the most common cause of cervical cancer. It is frequently carried out in combination with a pap smear. When an HPV test and a pap smear are performed simultaneously it is termed co-testing
When should someone get screened?
Cervical cancer screening is recommended to be performed frequently for women who are at high risk of getting cancer. The following factors can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer
Women age over 50 years
Smoking
Weakened immune system
Having sex at an early age
Having multiple sex partners
History of HIV
History of sexually transmitted diseases
Having multiple children
Test Preparation
You may be asked to avoid sexual activity, douching, and the use of spermicidal foam or vaginal medications for two days before the test. This test should not be performed when you are menstruating
Interpretation of the results:
Pap test:
· Normal results: If only normal cervical cells were detected during your pap smear, you're considered to have a negative result. You won't require any additional care or testing until your subsequent pelvic exam and pap smear are scheduled.
· Abnormal results: A positive result for your pap smear means that abnormal or unusual cervical cells were found. Even if the test is positive, cervical cancer is not confirmed. Depending on the type of cells found in your test, a positive result may vary.
HPV test:
· Positive HPV test: If your test result is positive, it indicates the presence of a high-risk HPV strain that is associated with cervical cancer. Although it's not a guarantee that you have cervical cancer right now, it is a symptom that it could manifest in the future. Most likely, your doctor may suggest a follow-up examination to look for cervical cancer symptoms or to see if the virus has cleared up after a year.
· Negative HPV test: If your test is negative, it means that you don't have any of the HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer.
FAQs
What is the significance of cervical cancer screening?
It takes around 3 to 7 years for a normal cell to develop into a cancer cell. Cervical cancer screening helps in the early detection of these precancerous cells before progressing into cancer cells. Women who have mild abnormalities can get frequent testing to determine whether their cells return to normal. For women who have advanced alterations, the screening will help in the type of treatment received
How frequently should I get screened for cervical cancer?
Screening for cervical cancer is an important part of women's health care. No matter when you start having sex for the first time, screening should begin at age 21. Your age and medical history will determine how frequently and which tests you should undergo for cervical cancer
Why cervical cancer screening is also recommended for individuals who are not having sex?
although HPV is a major contributing factor to cervical cancer, it is not the only one. Your chance of getting HPV and obtaining cervical cancer might be increased by additional factors like smoking and HIV infection
4. What are the recommendations for cervical cancer screening
every 5 years with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing alone, or every 5 years with HPV testing combined with In women between the ages of 21 and 29, it is advised to undergo cytology-cervical cancer screening every three years. For women aged between 30 to 65 years, it is recommended to screen every 3 years with cervical cytology aloncytology (Cotesting).
5. Is cervical cancer screening recommended after a hysterectomy?
Even after a hysterectomy, women may still require screening. Though the cervix is removed at the time of hysterectomy, cervical cells are still present near the vagina. So, it is recommended to continue screening 20 years after your operation if you have a history of cervical cancer or high-grade cervical cell alterations.
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