“The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find
precancerous cervical cell changes, when
treatment can prevent cervical cancer from developing”.1

Umbrella
What may the Cervical Cancer Screening Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cervical Cancer Early Detection
  • Cervical Cancer Screening
  • Cervical Screening
  • HPV Screening
  • Pap Smear
  • Pap Smear Test
  • Pap Test
  • Smear Test

Definition

What is cervical cancer screening?

Dots the definition of cervical cancer screening may Vary. The (United States) National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) definition is:

“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. Cervical cancer found at an early stage is usually easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cervical cancer may have begun to spread, making treatment more difficult”.2

Screening Tests

What are cervical cancer screening tests?

In Cervical Cancer: Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer the American Cancer Society elaborate on:

“The best way to find cervical cancer early is to have regular screening tests. Regular screening has been shown to prevent cervical cancers and save lives. Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment and can prevent any early cervical cell changes from becoming cancer. Being alert to any signs and symptoms of cervical cancer can also help avoid unnecessary delays in diagnosis”.3

In Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain:

“The HPV test and the Pap test can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.

  1. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
  2. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately.

Both tests can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic”.4

Start. Frequency. Stop

Can when to start, the frequency and when to stop Pap tests, vary?

Yes. Depending on You (DoY), DotS and/or Depending on Your Country’s (DoYC’s) cervical cancer screening program, when to start, stop and the frequency of Pap tests can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you in your Country.

 

Cervical Cancer Screening

Screening Program

Where may women find information about cervical cancer screening or early detection programs?

Women may find information about cervical cancer screening or early detection programs from their health care provider or their country’s equivalent of a local community health center or a national and/or state Department/Center/Institute of Aging/Cancer/Disease Control and Prevention/Health/Human Services.

Your country may have a program similar to Australia’s, the United Kingdom’s or the United States’ cervical cancer screening or early detection programs.

Screening Program Example

What is the United States’ cervical cancer screening program?

In National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You the CDC explain:

“CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured”.5

Cervical Cancer Is Not Just A Women’s Issue

Is cervical cancer just a women’s issue?

In Eliminating Cervical Cancer: Dispelling Common Misconceptions – Cervical Cancer Is Not Just A Women’s Issue the Union for International Cancer Control explain:

“Both men and women can be infected by HPV. As men are carriers of HPV, they have an important role in prevention, and an even more critical role in cultures and countries where they have strong influence in the decision-making around their partner’s health, including offering financial support and encouraging partners to get screened or seek treatment”.6

Health Care Provider

When may women stop having regular Pap tests?

DoY, DotS and/or DoYC’s cervical cancer screening program, when women may stop regular Pap tests can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you. A Mayo Clinic author clarifies:

“If you’re unsure whether you still need Pap tests, discuss with your doctor what’s best for you”.7

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Cervical Cancer Screening?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Cervical Cancer Screening?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. HPV and Pap Testing: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening? Reviewed: 13 October 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/pap-hpv-testing-fact-sheet#q2 Accessed: 29 January 2023
  2. HPV and Pap Testing: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening? Reviewed: 13 October 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/pap-hpv-testing-fact-sheet#q2 Accessed: 29 January 2023
  3. Cervical Cancer: Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer. Last Reviewed: 13 January 2023. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-tests.html Accessed: 29 January 2023
  4. Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening? Page Last Reviewed: 14 December 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening.htm Accessed: 29 January 2023
  5. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You. Page Last Reviewed: 11 August 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm Accessed: 29 January 2023
  6. Eliminating Cervical Cancer: Dispelling Common Misconceptions – Cervical Cancer Is Not Just A Women’s Issue. Union for International Cancer Control https://www.worldcancerday.org/Eliminate Accessed: 29 January 2023
  7. Burnett, T. Pap Smear: Still Needed After Hysterectomy? 22 October 2020. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/expert-answers/pap-smear/faq-20058344 Accessed: 29 January 2023
Topic Last Updated: 29 January 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 29 January 2023

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