Stay Ahead: Key Facts About Cervical Cancer and Screening

As it’s cervical cancer awareness week, we wanted to spend some time shining a light on a major health challenge that impacts many women around the globe. Fortunately, early detection through cervical screening has proven to be an effective measure in reducing the number of cases and deaths from this disease¹. Going for your cervical screening isn't always easy, and everyone's experience is different, but going into it informed can really help!

How common is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a big deal worldwide, coming in as the fourth most common cancer with over 600,000 new cases and about 350,000 deaths each year²⁻³. The hardest-hit areas are low- and middle-income countries, where access to vaccines, cervical screenings, and treatment is often limited². This disparity highlights the need for effective screening programs, as early detection can save lives worldwide. Making sure all women get regular cervical screenings is vital to preventing this disease.

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a quick and simple way to detect abnormal, cancerous cells in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. The test checks for a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically for high-risk types that can cause cervical cells to become abnormal⁴.

During the procedure, a nurse uses a small, soft brush to take a sample of cells from the cervix and sends it to the laboratory. The lab will determine if you have high-risk HPV. If it is found, they will further test the sample for any cell changes.

High-risk HPV can lead to changes in cervical cells, which might develop into cancer over time⁵. While not all cell changes will become cancerous, it's crucial to monitor and treat any changes as needed.

Who should get cervical screening?

Typically, cervical screening programs invite women from age 25 to 64 for cervical screening. According to the Cancer Research UK, you may get an invite every 5 to 10 years, depending on your age and where you live⁶. You need to be registered with a general practitioner or physician to get your screening invitations.

The global strategy proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least two high-performance HPV tests in a lifetime, once by age 35 and again by age 45³. Although the vaccine protects against the two main types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, it doesn't cover all HPV types linked to it. Therefore, it’s important that women who have received the HPV vaccine still start cervical screening at age 25.

Tips for your first visit

Going for a cervical screening appointment can be quite daunting, but it’s a crucial step for maintaining your health. Here are some tips for your first, or next visit:

• Schedule at the right time:
  Try to schedule your appointment for a time when you’re not on your period. Mid-cycle, about 14 days after the start of your last period, is often ideal.
  Plan ahead and book your appointment in advance, and choose a time when you’re not likely to be rushed or stressed.
• Dress comfortably:
  Choose clothes that are easy to remove from the waist down, like a skirt or loose trousers.
  Bring a cover-up. Some clinics provide a gown, but you might feel more comfortable bringing your own long shirt.
• Know what to expect:
  Familiarise yourself with what happens during a cervical screening and don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider any questions about the process, or what the results mean.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can help ensure that your cervical screening appointment is as stress-free and efficient as possible.

References

1. Basoya S, Anjankar A. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection and Prevention in Reproductive Age Group. Cureus. 14(11):e31312.

2. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 May;71(3):209–49.

3. World Health Organisation. Cervical cancer [Internet]. Cervical cancer. [cited 2024 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer

4. Mansour T, Limaiem F. Cervical Screening. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 [cited 2024 Jun 20]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537348/

5. Cancer Research, UK. Cervical screening results [Internet]. Cervical screening results. [cited 2024 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening/results

6. Cancer Research, UK. About cervical screening [Internet]. About cervical screening. [cited 2024 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening/about