Detect Early Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer screening is testing of all women at risk of cervical cancer; most of them will be without symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread. Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. Cervical cancer can often be well treated when it is found early. Cervical Cancer Screening Program can help find cancer at an early stage. Screening tests are given when you have no cancer symptoms. It is important to know that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a cervical cancer screening.

Cervical Cancer Screening Tests

There are basically two kinds of tests that doctor may recommend when you have a cervical cancer screening.

Pap test

The Pap smear (cytology) or pap test is the only cervical cancer screening test that has been used in large populations and that has been shown to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality. This is a method of examining cells from the cervix. Pap recommendations are really essential for women who have had sexual intercourse.

To perform a Pap test, a doctor or nurse will perform a pelvic exam and use a small brush or spatula to collect cells from the cervix. The cells are smeared on a glass slide (traditional Pap smear) or added to a preservative fluid (liquid-based, thin layer testing).

Cervical cancer is very rare in younger women. Pap cervical cancer screening test can find cervical cancer and precancer in the early stages when it can be treated, and thus may reduce the number of deaths from cervical cancer.

HPV Test

This cervical cancer screening test can be done along with a Pap test or as a separate test. Like a Pap test, the HPV test is done during a pelvic exam, using a small brush to collect a sample from the cervix. If you are 30 years or older, your doctor or nurse may recommend HPV cervical cancer screening test in addition to a Pap test.

Women who are under age 30 are not usually tested for HPV because many women in this age group have temporary infections, which will go away without treatment.

If your HPV and Pap cervical cancer screening test are negative, repeat testing is not usually needed for three years. HPV cervical cancer screening test may also be done if the results of your Pap test results are unclear.

Cervical cancer screening is really important. This is because we need to prevent the cancer growth since there are almost no early cervical cancer symptoms. Vaccine for human papillomavirus is really recommended for women in productive ages who have not had sexual intercourse. Even if you have had a vaccine for human papillomavirus, you will still need cervical cancer screening.