The answer is a hard “yes.”
In 2018, cervical cancer was responsible for 311,000 deaths worldwide, reports theWorld Health Organization.
About 99% of cases are due to infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Regular screenings candetect abnormal changesin the cervical cells before they lead to cancer.
The cervix connects your vagina to the uterus.
Think of it as a small tube made up of connective tissue.
HPV infections and other factors may cause abnormal cervical cell changes.
If left unaddressed, these changes can put you at risk forcervical cancer.
Over time, they can grow and spread throughout the body.
Regular screenings can detect abnormal cells and tissues before it’s too late.
Another option is to get both tests every five years, depending onyour health needs.
Note that HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, too, says theUniversity of Michigan.
That’s why you should get regular cervical cancer screenings even if you’re not sexually active.
The University of Michigan warns that women with HPV-related cervical cancer are at higher risk of developing vulvar cancer.
Moreover, high-risk HPV strains may cause cancers of the throat, anus, vagina, and other organs.
Refrain from sexual intercourse for two or three days before cervical cancer screening.
These products can alter the vaginal flora, affecting your test results.
The screening will take place in your doctor’s office.
First, your gynecologist may ask a couple of questions about your health and lifestyle habits.
The doctor will use a duck-bill-shaped gear (speculum) to bring up the walls of your vagina.
This will allow them to gently scrape cells from your cervix and then check them under a microscope.
They may use the same sample or take a different sample for the HPV test.
Most patients receive the test results within three weeks, according to theCDC.
Abnormal results don’t necessarily mean that you have cancer, but they require further investigation.
LSILs (low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions), for example, are considered abnormal Pap test results.
These lesions may be due to anHPV infection, explainsACOG.
