Cervical cancer is relatively rare and as such many people are unaware of its screening processes and its importance. It is estimated that over 70,000 women in India may have lost their lives to cervical cancer in 2023. Any woman over the age of 15 can be susceptible to cervical cancer and it is only with preventative measures and regular screening tests, the condition can be kept in check. 

So, let’s review the methods for cervical cancer screening as well as the preventative measures for cervical cancer. Learning about these measures yourself and sharing it with others can help save lives. So, make sure you go through the content in its entirety and share it with your loved ones.

Importance of Cervical Cancer Screening

As you would already know, diagnosing cancer at an early stage is one of the best ways to beat cancer. Based on your risk factors, doctors will recommend you to be on the lookout for cancer through screening diagnostic tests regularly. The difference between an early detection of cervical cancer and a late-stage detection, which has a lower cervical cancer survival rate is proactive screening. And that’s the primary importance of cervical cancer screening. So, what is cervical cancer screening? When should you be going through with it? And what are the risk factors of cervical cancer you should be monitoring? Let’s find out.

What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?

Cervical cancer screening involves diagnostic tests that are done to check for precancerous developments in your cervix. It is possible in some cases that cervical cancer screening tests can find cancer cells in your test reports. However, since these tests are performed as a part of routine physical checkups and not based on reported symptoms, the cancer can be treated with medical intervention. 

Even in the case of cervical cancer screening finding precancerous developments in your cervix, they can be treated medically with the treatments having a higher rate of success because of the early detection. There are three cervical cancer screening tests primarily, let’s review the different tests.

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test: HPV tests are one of the most common and easiest cervical cancer screening tests. This blood test is used to check your body for any high-risk strains of HPV, which can increase your risk of cervical cancer. Based on the test results, doctors can create a treatment plan if required.
   
• Pap Smear: Pap smear tests are also very common and they are considered the most effective form of cervical cancer screening tests. Samples collected during a pap smear from your cervix are tested for HPV to see if you have any dangerous strains of the condition or not. In some cases, if there are precancerous cell growths in the cervix, a pap smear test can diagnose them too. The best part is, pap smear tests can be used to diagnose and screen for other conditions too like inflammation or infections in the cervix.
   
• HPV/Pap Co Test: Using both these tests together (pap smear and HPV testing), it allows doctors to get a complete understanding of what’s happening inside your body allowing more detailed diagnosis. However, in most cases based on your age and risk factors, doctors may recommend either one of the tests at a time.

Now that you know about cervical cancer screening and the tests used to screen for the condition, let’s review when you need to go through these tests.

When Do You Need To Go Through Cervical Cancer Screening Tests?

Cervical cancer screening needs to start as early as your 20s. Even though the condition shows symptoms and is diagnosed in women over the age of 30 and even 40, the screening process needs to start early for better health outcomes. 

A cancer that has started showing disruptive symptoms has the potential to spread to other parts of the body, this can cause unintended complications and even death without extensive cervical cancer treatment. So, to keep you safe, doctors recommend a preventative course of action through screening tests from an early age. Let’s go through the screening test requirements for different age groups.

• 20s: In your 20s starting from the age of 21 to 29, doctors recommend you to get pap smear tests every three years starting with your first at 21. Even if you are sexually active, doctors generally don’t recommend you to take a pap smear test before that. 
   
• 30s through 60s: In this age group, it is very important to take care of your health as cervical cancer is most common among this age group. Doctors recommend you to go through pap smear screenings every three years. HPV tests and HPV/pap smear co-tests are also recommended to patients in this age group every five years.
   
• Beyond 60s: Based on your test reports and diligence in going through screening tests throughout your life, doctors may recommend you to stop the screening process at this point. However, if latest screening tests show abnormal results, doctors may recommend you to continue screenings until further notice.

Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

Alongside regular screening tests, being aware of cervical cancer risk factors is also very important for patients to ensure they are safe from the condition. Here’s a look at the most common risk factors for cervical cancer.

• HPV infection, especially strains like HPV16, and HPV18.
• Smoking
• Taking oral contraceptives regularly
• Herpes
• Weak Immune system
• HIV infection and AIDS
• Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Preventative Measures For Cervical Cancer

Screening is one part of preventing cancer, the other part is taking active preventative measures for cervical cancer. From lifestyle and dietary changes to medical treatments including vaccination, there’s a lot you can do to reduce your cervical cancer risk. Let’s review the different preventative measures for cervical cancer.

HPV Vaccine

Yes, there is vaccination available for HPV even in India. Anybody from the age of nine to 26 can get the HPV vaccine. It is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of cervical cancer. Getting the vaccine before you become an adult and sexually active is recommended ideally. However, women who have not had the vaccine as of yet, and are as old as 26, can get the vaccine too. Even though the vaccine can’t protect you against HPV strains that you may already have, it is recommended that you get it to protect against other virus strains.

Condoms

Using condoms during any sexual activity is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. It is also the best way to reduce your risk of HPV and in turn cervical cancer. It should be mentioned that the risk of STIs and STDs is completely eliminated by using condoms, the risk is however significantly reduced. So, make sure you practice safe sex as it is the best way to reduce your risk of STIs and serious illnesses like cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Even though screening should be able to help you keep the condition away in most cases, being aware of the symptoms is also an important part. Cervical cancer like other types of cancer doesn’t show symptoms initially with the symptoms acting up more and more as it progresses through the different stages. Here’s a look at the symptoms of cervical cancer in its different stages.

Stage 1

• Pelvic discomfort
• Bleeding or spotting between periods

Stage 2

• Pelvic pain
• Vaginal bleeding after sex
• Abnormal vaginal discharge
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding even after menopause
• Longer and heavier periods
• Bloody vaginal discharge
• Abnormal uterine bleeding

Stage 3

• Trouble urinate
• Pelvic pain during intercourse
• Problems with bowel movements
• Excessive weight loss
• Back pain and swelling in legs
• Blood in urine

Stage 4

• Spitting blood
• Vaginal fistula
• Extreme fatigue and overall lethargy
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and you happen to be in the age group with the highest risk, you should definitely go for a medical checkup. Timely treatment makes it possible for women to reduce their risks and get a possible treatment for cervical cancer. It is important to note that the cervical cancer survival rate is highest when the treatment starts early. In general, cervical cancer has a five-year survival rate between 38.6 to 63.9 percent in India.

Ending Note

These are some of the best ways to prevent cervical cancer. So, now that you know about the preventative measures, make sure you follow through and get the proper screening tests as recommended by doctors. Feel free to check out MASSH for the best cervical cancer test in Delhi and even talk to our doctors about getting the HPV vaccine, if you are eligible. Check out our website to learn more about cervical cancer causes, cervical cancer symptoms, and its treatment options at MASSH.