Here's Why You Should Not Miss Regular Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around 6,60,000 new cases and around 3,50,000 deaths in 2022, according to World Health Organisation (WHO).

The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low and middle-income nations, which indicates major inequities driven by lack of access to national HPV vaccination, and cervical screening, according to WHO.

What is cervical HPV vaccination screening?

The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find precancerous cervical cell changes, when treatment can prevent cervical cancer from developing. Sometimes, cancer is found during cervical screening, making it easier to treat, when detected in an early stage, according to the National Cancer Institute.  

Avoiding this pertinent screening can cause the cervical cancer to spread further, increasing the difficulty level in treating cervical cancer, causing the growth of cells in the cervix, as per the NCI.  

Ways to screen for cervical cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) test checks cells for infection with high-risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.

The Pap test (also called a Pap smear or cervical cytology) collects cervical cells so they can be checked for changes caused by 
HPV that may—if left untreated—turn into cervical cancer.

A Pap test also sometimes finds conditions that are not cancer, such as infection or inflammation. The HPV/Pap cotest uses an HPV test and Pap test together to check for both high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes.

What to expect during a cervical cancer screening test?

Cervical cancer screening tests are usually done during a pelvic exam, which takes only a few minutes. During the exam, you lie on your back on an exam table, bend your knees, and put your feet into supports at the end of the table. The health care provider uses a speculum to gently open your vagina to see the cervix, according to the NCI.

A soft, narrow brush is utilized to collect a small sample of cells from the individual's cervix. You may have the option to self-collect the cervical sample during your appointment.