What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?

31 Aug What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?

The opening to the uterus is called cervix and is situated at the top of the vagina. The screening of cervical cancer is used to find changes in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cancer. The screening includes cervical cytology and, for some women, testing for human papillomavirus (HPV).

Causes of cervical cancer 

One of the major causes of cervical cancer is infection with HPV. It enters cells and can cause them to change. Some types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer as well as cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, mouth, and throat. HPV infection often causes no symptoms. Most HPV infections go away on their own. But in some women, HPV does not go away. If a high-risk type of HPV infection lasts for a long time, it can cause more severe changes in cervical cells. High-grade changes are more likely to lead to cancer.

Why is cervical cancer screening important?

• It usually takes 5–10 years (some times decades) for high-grade changes in cervical cells to become cancer. Cervical cancer screening may detect these changes before they become cancer.
• Women with low-grade changes can be tested more frequently to see if their cells go back to normal.
• Women with high-grade changes can get treatment to have the cells removed.

How is cervical cancer screening done?

Taking the cells from the cervix does both the Pap smear and HPV test. The screening process is simple and fast. A pelvic examination is performed to give a clear view of upper vagina and the cervix is touched lightly with a brush and cells that are lying on the top of the cervix are removed for sampling. The cells usually are put into a special liquid and sent to a laboratory for testing:

• For a Pap test, the sample is examined to see if abnormal cells are present.
• For an HPV test, the sample is tested for the presence of 13–14 of the most common high-risk HPV types.

How accurate are cervical cancer screening test results? 

The result of any lab test for screening of cervical cancer is not always accurate. There are times when the cells are normal and the result obtained is abnormal. This is called a “false-positive” result. The screening for cervical cancer also may not detect abnormal cells when they are actually present. This is called a “false-negative” result. In order to improve the accuracy of results of screening Pap smear should be repeated at regular intervals. To help prevent false-negative or false-positive results, you should avoid douching, sexual intercourse, and using vaginal medications or hygiene products for 2 days before your test. If you are on menstrual period then also you should avoid cervical cancer screening.

If you have further questions, contact your obstetrician–gynaecologist or you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Manavita Mahajan who is a renowned gynaecologist in Gurgaon and has vast knowledge about cervical cancer screening.