What is cervical cancer screening?
Detection of cancer cells in the cervix or cells that may develop into cancer - the same as 'precancer'.
Diagnosis of the cervical papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer.
Screening is the best way to detect cervical cancer and precancer at an early stage, thus avoiding more advanced forms.
Tests used for cervical cancer screening:
The papillomavirus test (HPV test) - detection of high-risk types of HPV in cervical cells (HPV 16, HPV 18…).
Pap test – which involves taking cells from the cervix and then sending them to the laboratory, where experts will perform microscopic analysis of the cells.
Combined test - which involves performing HPV and Pap test simultaneously.
How should I prepare for the HPV and Pap test?
No specific preparation is required. Screening can be done even if you have had sexual intercourse recently, are menstruating, or have any form of vaginal infection.
Procedure of the test:
The test is a relatively quick and painless procedure, and the discomfort is associated with inserting a gynecological speculum into the vagina, which is necessary for visualizing the cervix.
Cell collection is largely painless and very quick.
When should you participate in the screening program?
According to various recommendations, starting from the age of 21 or 25.
Generally, there is no need to undergo this test if you are under 21, even if you started sexual activity at a much younger age.
How frequently should screening be repeated?
It depends on your age and the results of previous tests.
From 21 to 29 years:
Pap test every 3 years starting from age 21.
HPV test every 5 years starting from age 25.
From age 30:
Pap test every 3 years.
HPV test every 5 years.
Or combined test every 5 years.
From age 65:
You may stop having Pap tests if you have been regularly tested up to this age and were normal.
If the last 3 Pap tests or the last 2 combined tests were normal.
If you do not have any disease that might weaken your immune system.
In high-risk patients, or based on previous test results, these intervals should be tailored individually by your gynecologist.
After a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), screening can be discontinued if the cervix has also been removed and there have been no precancerous changes.
In the case of an abnormal or pathological test result:
Such a result does not necessarily mean cancer, and most patients with this result do not have cancer!
Having the papillomavirus does not mean cancer; certain types increase the risk of its development.
However, in such cases, a consultation with a gynecologist is necessary to plan the next steps, which in some cases may include additional tests, such as a colposcopy or a cervical biopsy (tissue sampling) procedure.