Although cervical cancer screening is recommended for all women, it can also have certain risks. In fact, it is possible to get a false-negative result. In such cases, it is recommended to see a doctor for more information. The results of cervical cancer screening can take as long as three weeks. If abnormal cells are found, treatment will be recommended, preventing the disease from developing. But how often should you have the screening? Here are some guidelines to follow.
Women between the ages of 21 and 65 should be screened for cervical cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is an independent panel of medical experts who review the scientific evidence behind health care services. In 2012, they published guidelines on cervical cancer screening. Screening should include Pap tests for precancerous cells on the cervix. Women between these ages and 65 are recommended to get Pap tests every three years. However, women who want a longer interval may opt for co-testing, which includes Pap test and an HPV test to detect a virus that causes most cervical cancers.
While this recommendation is generally consistent across guidelines, some women may require screening more frequently. Those who undergo screening at age 50 or older may need to undergo additional tests. In addition, those who are over the age of 65 should also have their cervical screenings. For these purposes, women should visit a medical professional who specializes in screening women for cervical cancer. The tests will be conducted by a female nurse and will take five minutes.
Although cervical cancer screening is not necessary for women with a history of HPV or if they have had a total hysterectomy, they should still be screened for the disease every three years. The ACOG recommends primary HPV screening and an algorithm for positive results. It’s important to remember that cervical cancer screening saves thousands of lives every year. If you have a strong family history of cervical cancer, it is essential to get screened regularly.
The Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS are working to raise awareness about cervical cancer screening in the UK. The campaign, titled “Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Saves Lives” aims to increase cervical screening rates in the country. The campaign has celebrity backing as well, including Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, Loose Women star Linda Robson, and RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Victoria Scone.
The new guidelines have been based on research conducted by Jane Kim, a professor of health decision science at Harvard’s Chan School. She explains that she incorporated mathematical modeling into the guidelines to determine what should be done when women reach certain ages. Although this new screening guideline isn’t as controversial as the previous recommendations, it’s better to check young women for cervical cancer than to risk their health. However, doctors should continue to screen women for HPV at a regular interval, as it’s the most reliable way to detect it.
Access to health care providers is another factor that may influence the number of cervical cancer screenings a woman needs. Access to adequate information about HPV transmission and how to prevent it is one way to reduce the need for contraception and medical visits. Despite these factors, the number of women who are not routinely screened also shows a lack of awareness. Moreover, care providers often report that screening is unnecessary in women who don’t have high sexual risk.
