Cervical Cancer Screening

“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:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Cervical Cancer Screening?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 4 Ways To Reduce Risks of Cervical Cancer
  2. Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
  3. Cervical Cancer
  4. Cervical Cancer
  5. Cervical Cancer
  6. Cervical Cancer
  7. Cervical Cancer
  8. Cervical Cancer
  9. Cervical Cancer Cervical Cancer Screening
  10. Cervical Cancer
    Cervical Cancer
  11. Cervical Cancer Awareness [+ Video]
  12. Cervical Cancer Awareness: Screening Tests
  13. Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action 2022 [17 November]
  14. Cervical Cancer Overview
  15. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week [23 – 29 Jan 2023, United Kingdom]
  16. Cervical Cancer Risks and Causes
  17. Cervical Cancer Screening
  18. Cervical Cancer Screening
  19. Cervical Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: What Is Screening?
  20. Cervical Cancer Screening Numbers Drop off In Women 45-65
  21. Cervical Cancer Screening – Multiply Languages
  22. Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap and HPV Tests
  23. Cervical Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version
  24. Cervical Cancer – Multiply Languages
  25. Cervical Cancer: Basic Information About Cervical Cancer
  26. Cervical Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention – Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?
  27. Cervical Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention – Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer
  28. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer
  29. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer: The HPV Test
  30. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer: The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test
  31. Cervical Cancer: How Is Cervical Cancer Diagnosed and Treated?
  32. Cervical Cancer: Prevention of Cervical Cancer: The Cervical Cancer Vaccine – Do You Still Need To Have Cervical Screening Tests If You Have Had the Vaccine?
  33. Cervical Cancer: Screening
  34. Cervical Cancer: Treating Cervical Cancer
  35. Cervical Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?
  36. Cervical Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer? Lack of Regular Cervical Screening Tests
  37. Cervical Cancer: What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
  38. Cervical Cancer: What Can I Do To Reduce My Risk of Cervical Cancer?
  39. Cervical Cancer: What Should I Know About Screening?
  40. Cervical Cancer–Patient Version
  41. Cervical Health Awareness Month [United States]: January Is Cervical Health Awareness Month: Ten Things To Know About HPV and Cervical Cancer
  42. Cervical Health Awareness Month: Information, Research, Patient Services, Advocacy
  43. Cervical Screening
  44. Cervical Screening (Smear Test)
  45. Cervical Screening Awareness Week [19-24 June 2023, United Kingdom]
  46. Cervical Screening Test [Australia]
  47. Cervical Screening: Helping You Decide [United Kingdom]
  48. Cervical Screening: Leaflet for Women Considering Screening [Multiply Languages] [United Kingdom]
  49. Cervical Screening: Programme Overview [England]
  50. Cervical Screening: What Is Cervical Screening? [+ Video]
  51. Colposcopy
  52. Colposcopy
  53. Consumer Health: Cervical Cancer and HPV — What’s the Connection?
  54. Consumer Health: Understanding Cervical Cancer Risk
  55. Consumer Health: What Is A Pap Smear, and Who Needs One?
  56. Do You Know the Difference Between A Pap Test and A Pelvic Exam?
  57. Facts and Tips for Cervical Screening
  58. Free/Low-Cost Pap Testing [United States]
  59. HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
  60. HPV Awareness Day [+ Video]
  61. HPV FAQs
  62. HPV Infection: How Does It Cause Cervical Cancer?
  63. HPV Vaccine: Who Needs It, How It Works
  64. HPV and Cancer
  65. HPV and Pap Testing
  66. HPV and Pap Testing: Do Women Who Have Been Vaccinated Against HPV Still Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer?
  67. HPV and Pap Testing: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?
  68. HPV and Pap Testing: When Should A Woman Begin Cervical Cancer Screening, and How Often Should She Be Screened
  69. HPV and Relationships
  70. Have You Heard the Secret To Cervical Cancer Prevention?
  71. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  72. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer
  73. Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV Infection
  74. Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
  75. Hysterectomy: I’ve Had A Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need To Have Pap Tests?
  76. International HPV Awareness Day 04 Mar 2023 [+ One Less Worry Video]
  77. Is It Time for Your Screen Test? [+ Video]
  78. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust [United Kingdom]
    Cervical Cancer Screening
  79. Let’s Talk About…Smear Tests When You Have Endometriosis
  80. Mayo Clinic Minute: Screening for Cervical Cancer [+ Video Courtesy Mayo Clinic News Network]
  81. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Black Women Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer [+ Video Courtesy Mayo Clinic News Network]
  82. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Cervical Cancer and HPV Screening
  83. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
  84. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You
  85. National Cervical Cancer Coalition
  86. New Cervical Screening Test Option A ‘Game Changer’ [Australia]
  87. New Recommendations for Screening and Treatment To Prevent Cervical Cancer
  88. Our Videos: [+ Screening (Other Language Films)]
  89. Pap Smear
  90. Pap Smear: Do I Need One If I’m A Virgin?
  91. Pap and HPV Tests
  92. Prevent Cervical Cancer
  93. The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer
  94. The Cervix
  95. The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test
  96. Video Series-2020: What to Ask Your Clinician About the HPV Vaccine
  97. Videos About Gynecologic Cancers: “Under the Paper Gown” With Amber Ruffin

  98. What Is Cervical Cancer?
  99. What Is Cervical Cancer?
  100. World Ovarian Cancer Day May 8, 2022
    World Ovarian Cancer Day 2022

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

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by