Screening for Cervical Cancer: Expert Recommendations
Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable forms of cancer, thanks to advancements in screening and early detection methods. Regular screenings not only help identify abnormal changes in cervical cells before they develop into cancer but also save lives by catching the disease in its earliest, most treatable stages.
Rachel Chesley, ARNP, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner at EvergreenHealth Primary Care in Sultan, shares the different ways to screen for cervical cancer, how they work, and why regular screenings are essential for women's health.
The Importance of Scheduling Your Cervical Cancer Screening
Rachel Chesley, ARNP, DNP discusses how detecting cervical cancer at an early stage makes successful treatment and your best possible outcome more likely.
Understanding Pap and HPV Tests
A Pap test, named after Dr. Papanicolaou who developed it in the 1920s, is a common cervical cancer screening method. It involves collecting a sample of cervical cells, which are examined under a microscope in a lab to check for signs of cancer. This also oftentimes goes along with an HPV test, but the Pap test is a general term you likely think about when going in for your cervical cancer screening.
For individuals with no underlying medical issues, cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21 for anyone with a cervix. From ages 21 to 29, screenings are recommended every three years using a Pap test. At age 30, screenings typically switch to a combination of a Pap test and HPV testing. If results remain clear, screenings can occur every five years until age 65.
There aren't many things you need to do to prepare for a Pap test, but I encourage you to take a deep breath and know you're going to get through it okay. As far as anything medically, there are very few things that are going to prevent you from getting your Pap. Ideally, avoid putting anything inside the vagina for 24 to 48 hours prior to the test. But, if you have intercourse or something else beforehand, you should still go to your appointment, and you and your healthcare provider can decide if you still want to undergo the test.
What If Abnormalities Are Detected?
A screening Pap test is performed routinely at recommended intervals when there are no symptoms or signs of cancer. A diagnostic Pap test, however, is ordered by a health care provider if concerning symptoms are present and further investigation is needed. However, if abnormalities are detected, it doesn't necessarily mean a woman has cancer.
Usually, it's pre-cancerous cells or some other kind of abnormality that we see under the microscope, but typically it is not cancer. That's why we're encouraging people to get this screening done because we can catch pre-cancers and then treat them before they turn into cancer.
Value of the HPV Vaccine
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a very common virus with many types. While most people are unaware they have it, certain high-risk types can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine has been proven to prevent the condition from developing—but it's best to get vaccinated at a young age, prior to any sexual engagement.
We like to start sooner rather than later. It's recommended to start at 11 or 12 years old. It's also recommended for anybody who hasn't already gotten the vaccine series up through age 26. If you're older than 26 and you haven't had the vaccine between ages 27 and 45, you could consider getting it.
Discuss the vaccine with your health care provider and whether or not it would be appropriate for you.
This article has been adapted from the Check-Up Chat with EvergreenHealth Podcast "The Importance of Scheduling Your Cervical Cancer Screening." Find more Check-Up Chat episodes.
