Although it’s common to be concerned about a cervical screening test, taking part in the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme has far more positive effects on health. To help you feel more prepared and know what to expect coming into your visit, Dr. Manish Sharma has responded to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding cervical screening tests.
1) What makes the cervical screening test important?
Ans. Among the cancers that can be prevented the greatest is cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of nearly all cervical malignancies. A highly common virus, HPV typically has no noticeable symptoms. HPV is found with the Cervical Screening Test. The greatest method to lower your risk of cervical cancer is to take the cervical screening test. More than 70% of cervical cancer cases that are found occur in women who have never had a screening or who have not had one when it should have happened. Early detection of cell alterations makes treatment easier, and this is possible with the Cervical Screening Test. It’s important to schedule your cervical screening test without delay because survival depends on early detection.
2) What is the cervical screening test? How do I do a cervical screening?
Ans. A quick and easy process called a cervical screening test looks for the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The term “Pap test” or “Pap smear” was once used to refer to the cervical cancer screening. The Pap test was used to check for cervix cell alterations. One step ahead of the Pap test, it can identify women who may be at risk of developing cervical cancer in the future. The screening programme has undergone modifications to improve its efficacy for all women. Call your general practitioner (GP) if you believe your cervical screening test is overdue. They will walk you through the necessary steps.
3) Does cervical cancer have any symptoms or indicators?
Ans. Often, there are no symptoms or indicators in the early stages of cervical cancer. This explains the significance of routine cervical screening.
Some individuals might encounter:
=bleeding after sex in the vagina
=bleeding in between climaxes
=vaginal bleeding following menopause abnormal discharge from the vagina
=persistent discomfort during intercourse
It is imperative that you consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms.
4) For whom is a cervical screening test appropriate?
Ans. Even if you have received the HPV vaccination, it is advised that you get a cervical screening test every five years if you are between the ages of 25 and 74, have a cervix, and have ever had sexual contact.
Regardless of when you had a cervical screening test, it’s important to get in touch with your doctor or other regular healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:
=pain during intercourse
=odd or abnormal vaginal discharge
=chronic, unexplained vaginal discharge.
5) How do you know if you‘re overdue?
Ans. It is overdue if you are between the ages of 25 and 74 and have not had a cervical screening test after the program’s update on December 1, 2017.
It’s amazing to hear that if you return a negative result from a cervical screening, you won’t need to get retested for five years, giving you five years of peace of mind.
The author is the Sr. Medical Oncologist from Positron Superspeciality and Cancer Hospital, Rohtak and Medical Oncologist at Cancer Care clinic in Faridabad.