Do not wait for symptoms; regular cervical cancer screening is a life-saving tool that can identify precancerous changes in the cervix before it becomes cancer. Screening should begin at 21 years and continue until 65.

Cervical Cancer Screening: When Should Women Get a Pap Smear Test?

Cervical cancer is preventable. Cervical cancer screening in Thane helps detect the presence of abnormal cells in your cervix (the lower portion of your uterus) before they turn into cancer. The screening usually involves a Pap smear and HPV tests.

Identifying changes in the cervical cells earlier can increase your chances of preventing or beating cervical cancer. Additionally, the tests also detect cervical inflammation and infections.

Women often wonder when exactly they should start getting cervical cancer screening. The guidelines vary for women based on their location, age, and medical history.

Understanding Pap Smear Test

Also called cervical cytology, the Pap smear is a commonly used screening tool to identify precancerous changes in your cervix. A gynecologist uses a speculum to get access to your cervix through the vagina and uses a brush to collect a cervical cell sample, which is examined closely in a lab.

Note that a Pap smear doesn’t check your cell sample for HPV. It rather looks for changes in the cells caused by an HPV infection. An abnormal Pap smear doesn’t necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. You may need repeat testing, an HPV test, or another test that gives a closer look at the cervix, such as colposcopy.

Understanding an HPV Test

A Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test is another cervical screening tool that detects the presence of certain high-risk strains of HPV, which can cause changes in the cervical cells. HPV screening has become a common part of cervical screening because nearly all cervical cancers are caused by the high-risk HPV strains.

When Should You Start Cervical Screening?

Modern guidelines have moved from Pap smear annually to a longer-interval cervical screening based on your risk factors, age group, and medical history. So, for those between 21 and 29 years, a Pap smear conducted every 3 years is sufficient.

Women above 30 can get both an HPV test and a Pap smear every five years. You can also continue taking a Pap smear every 3 years or just the HPV test every five years, whichever your gynecologist in Thane recommends.

Screening may be needed more frequently if you have HIV or a compromised immune system, a history of cervical cancer, or previous tests that detected abnormalities in the cervical cells.

Cervical Screening after Hysterectomy, Menopause, and Cervical Cancer Vaccinations

Cervical cancer screening is generally not needed if you have had uterus + cervix removal for reasons other than cervical cancer. Screening may still be needed if you had a subtotal hysterectomy that left the cervix intact or you have a history of cervical cancer or precancerous changes.

Current guidelines recommend cervical screening continue until 65 years, even if you have entered menopause. Women who are vaccinated for cervical cancer should also follow age-appropriate screening programmes, as modern HPV vaccines do not cover every strain of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.