Screening women for cervical cancer every single year may do more harm than good.

For fifty years an annual Pap smear has been the gold standard of screening for cervical cancer in women. Now a federal advisory group and the nation’s leading cancer organization have changed their tune. They no longer recommend that women have a Pap test each year.

The recommendations do not apply to women who are at very high risk for cancer, such as those who have been diagnosed with a high-grade precancerous cervical lesion or who have weakened immune systems.

The US Preventive Services Task Force, (USPSTF) a panel of independent experts convened by the government, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have each released new guidelines for cervical cancer screening that recommend against routine yearly testing. Instead, the guidelines recommend testing every 3 years for women aged 21 to 65.

New Guidelines

For women aged 30 to 65, the new guidelines recommend screening every 5 years with both a Pap smear and a test for the human papillomavirus (HPV). That recommendation is based on data showing that less frequent screening with both tests provides a comparable benefit in cancer detection to more frequent Pap testing alone. Routine screening of women younger than 21 and older than 65 is not advised under the new guidelines.

Pap testing has been responsible for a dramatic reduction in cervical cancer deaths.

The updated recommendations apply to women, regardless of sexual history, who have a cervix and show no signs or symptoms of cervical cancer. The recommendations do not apply to women who are at very high risk for cancer, such as those who have been diagnosed with a high-grade precancerous cervical lesion or who have weakened immune systems.

Both the USPSTF and ACS emphasize that Pap screening continues to be a important diagnostic tool. Since its widespread introduction, Pap testing has been responsible for a dramatic reduction in cervical cancer deaths in the United States. Among current cervical cancer deaths, most occur in women who have never been screened or who have not been screened in the last 5 years.

According to Dr. Wanda Nicholson, an ob/gyn at the University of North Carolina and a member of the USPTS, bringing those groups of women into the screening process remains an important public health objective.

Why Test Less Frequently?

The groups based their updated recommendations on research demonstrating that Pap testing every year provides little or no benefit compared to testing every 3 years, but that more frequent testing carries potential harm. false positives — that is, a test indicates the existence of disease when in fact none is present — are very common and often lead to invasive testing that can produce long-term complications, including difficulties with pregnancy and delivery.

Pap testing every year provides little or no benefit compared to testing every 3 years, but that more frequent testing carries potential harm.

Debbie Saslow, ACS’s director of breast and gynecologic cancer, sums it up this way: “We now know that annual screening causes more harm than good because it leads to many extra invasive procedures without increasing the number of cancers detected.”

A new Attitude toward Screening

The new Pap guidelines reflect a shift in medical thinking about the advisability of frequent and routine disease screening in the general population. Recommendations advocating more limited screening for both breast and prostate cancer have also been issued within the past several years.

This new attitude reflects a growing realization that the benefits of screening healthy people may not be as great as previously believed, and that screening is not without potential risk. however, more frequent screening of vulnerable, older people for a condition such as osteoporosis can bring benefits.

Screening produces winners (those whose lives are saved) and losers (those who are subjected to unnecessary intervention). while the winners win big, they are relatively few; many more will lose.

Those risks include the possibility of false positives, as well as the detection of early-stage abnormalities that might resolve themselves over time without medical intervention. The consequences of these scenarios include unnecessary invasive testing, complications and side effects from drugs or surgery, and pain and emotional distress.

Dr. Gilbert Welch, a professor of medicine at Dartmouth and a well-known writer and lecturer on the subject of disease screening, frames the matter in gambling terms: Screening produces winners (those whose lives are saved) and losers (those who are subjected to unnecessary intervention). while the winners win big, they are relatively few; many more will lose.

Those who take a minimalist or skeptical view of medical intervention can be reassured that they are not unduly risking their health. There is no one right answer for everyone. (Those who want to hear more about the pros and cons of screening can check out this interview of Dr. Welch.)

Even Doctors Are Confused

Despite the shift among clinical experts, most Americans continue to believe unquestionably in the benefit of routine annual screening. It’s easy to understand why the public might overestimate the value of such tests. Even many doctors are confused about the degree of benefit conferred by screening exams and fail to advise patients correctly.

For example, when asked in a recent survey to choose between two tests of different hypothetical benefit, nearly all of the physician respondents chose the one that was less meaningful in terms of saving lives. Other research has shown that many doctors continue to perform screening more often than recommended.

One recent study found that breast cancer screening resulted in a rate of over-diagnosis of 18-25 percent. this points to a need for more physician education, but also highlights the importance among patients of becoming better informed about why, when and for whom screening makes the most sense.

The idea of annual screenings is alluring: Have a test, find disease and treat it early. But this is too simplistic. although there’s no doubt that screening is advisable in certain situations, the correlation between routine screening for everyone and subsequent health benefit is not cut and dried. The medical establishment has begun to recognize the limitations of screening. Health care consumers should take note as well.

This article originally appeared on TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com, an Atlantic partner site.

Gen-Probe shares soared nearly 19 percent, or $12.86, to $81.57 in Monday afternoon trading. In contrast, Hologic shares fell more than 10 percent, or $2.20, to $19.03.

The announcement came the same day the companies posted quarterly financial results. Bedford, Mass.-based Hologic reported a net loss of $40.3 million, or 15 cents per share, in its fiscal second quarter as expenses rose. Gen-Probe, based in San Diego, reported a 3 percent decline in its first-quarter earnings.

Hologic said the acquisition of Gen-Probe will establish it as a premier company in STD diagnostics.

Diagnostics tools will play a growing role in the future of medicine because they provide a way for doctors to identify and address problems at an early stage, before they becomes more difficult and expensive to treat, said analyst Steve Brozak, president of WBB Securities. He noted, for instance, that Gen-Probe makes a test for the human papillomavirus, which leads to cervical cancer.

He also noted that many people who have the STD chlamydia don’t show symptoms or know they have it. Diagnostic testing, he said, “is the only reasonable vehicle for addressing that type of problem.’’

Because of this expected growth in demand for diagnostics, Hologic had “no choice’’ but to make this deal, the analyst said.

Last year, instrument maker Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. agreed to spend about $3.5 billion in cash for the privately held Swedish company Phadia, which makes blood test systems for allergy and auto-immune diseases. Medical and industrial instruments maker Danaher Corp. also agreed to buy Beckman Coulter Inc. for about $5.87 billion. Beckman Coulter makes products that simplify and automate biomedical testing.

Hologic said it expects the addition of Gen-Probe to boost its adjusted earnings by about 20 cents in the first fiscal year after the deal closes and significantly more after that. the companies expect the deal to close in the second half of this year.

Hologic’s loss in the quarter that ended March 24 compares to net income of $82.4 million, or 31 cents per share, in the same quarter a year ago. Revenue climbed more than 7 percent to $471.2 million, but costs and expenses jumped 63 percent to $461 million.

Adjusted earnings, which exclude several one-time charges and gains, were 33 cents per share.

Analysts expected Hologic would earn 33 cents per share on revenue of $474 million, according to a FactSet survey.

In its earnings report, Gen-Probe said its first-quarter net income fell to $22.5 million, or 49 cents per share. Total revenue grew 7 percent to $153.4 million, and adjusted earnings were 55 cents per share.

Analysts expected adjusted earnings of 51 cents per share on $150.7 million in revenue from Gen-Probe.

AP Business Writer Bree Fowler contributed to this report from new York.

Don’t forget Jade Goody…it could save you from cervical cancer says survivor Hayley

2:10pm Tuesday 13th March 2012 in Echo News by Faye Hackwell

Campaign – Hayley Sneath shows her shopping list of goals to beat cancer

A MUM who discovered she had cervical cancer after Jade Goody’s death prompted her to have a smear test is urging others to get themselves checked out.

Hayley Sneath, 30, from Basildon, suffered gruelling treatment, but survived because the disease was tackled early on.

the mum-of-three, of Briar Mead, said: “I kept putting off having my smear test but when I heard about Jade, I finally went.

“When I got the letter telling me I had cancer, I had to face my worst fear.

“I thought I would die and my children would have to grow up without me.

“My operation took place on the day of Jade’s funeral and all I could think of was that I would be joining her very soon.

“But, thankfully, because I had the smear test, it was picked up early and I was able to have the treatment successfully.

“I feel lucky to have survived and I’ll always be grateful to Jade for reminding everyone to have their tests.”

Hayley was diagnosed three years ago and is now warning others not to ignore cancer symptoms and take routine tests, through a new campaign with Cancer Research UK and Tesco.

She joined staff at Tesco Extra in Pitsea to launch the partnership, through which Tesco aims to raise £10million to fund 32 early diagnosis research projects and launch a customer awareness campaign.

Hayley backed a “shopping list” of goals the two organisations have drawn up – with helping to beat cancer at the top.

She added: “All too often, cancer is detected further down the line when effective treatment becomes more difficult.

“My advice to anyone is to trust your instincts and if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms, find time to get checked.”

A survey carried out by Cancer Research UK found three in ten people in the east of England said they might delay getting symptoms checked out because they were worried what the doctor might find.

One in five might delay because they feared wasting the doctor’s time and almost three quarters failed to list pain or problems with bowels or bladder as possible cancer symptoms.

about 28,700 people are diagnosed with cancer in the region each year and 14,300 lose their lives.

RENEE MONTAGNE, host: It’s MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I’m Rene Montagne.

STEVE INSKEEP: And I’m Steve Inskeep. Good morning.

Today in Your Health, vaccinating boys against HPV, the virus linked to cervical cancer. We’ll hear why that is not as controversial as vaccinating teenage girls.

MONTAGNE: Let’s turn first to a different concern – babies who cry and spit up a lot. more and more are getting prescription drugs, drugs used to treat reflux in infants. NPR’s Allison Aubrey reports on why a few doctors are pushing back.

ALLISON AUBREY: Babies have been crying and spitting up from time immemorial. But now it turns out parents of really fussy infants are increasingly asking, isn’t there medicine for this?

DR. ERIC HASSALL: Parents come in often demanding medication. And if they don’t get it from one physician, they often will get it from another.

AUBREY: That’s Dr. Eric Hassall, a specialist who has long treated children with stomach problems. He says some parents have picked up on the idea that heavily advertised medicines for reflux can help.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV ADVERTISEMENTS)

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Ask if Nexium is right for you.

UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Prevacid 24 hour – when you’ve had it with heartburn.

AUBREY: Now, these medicines are not approved for infants with reflux. Doctors have been prescribing them off-label, and Hassall says this practice is fine in cases when babies are very sick. for instance, when they’re spitting up so much they’re not gaining weight.

HASSALL: The great majority of infants spit up and they cry, but very, very few of them actually have reflux disease and deserve medication.

AUBREY: In fact, four clinical trials show that these medicines work no better than a placebo pill – or sugar pill – in treating infants with reflux. And yet prescriptions for these drugs have shot up significantly. one study documented a 16-fold increase in prescriptions for one acid suppressing medication, which is sold in a child-friendly formulation.

HASSALL: there hasn’t been a sudden 16-fold increase in the incidence of reflux disease. it hasn’t suddenly become the scourge of otherwise healthy infants.

AUBREY: so what does Hassall recommend when the parents of inconsolable babies who are spitting up all the time come in for help? well, one of his patients is Tara Cree, who was at her wit’s end with her infant daughter.

TARA CREE: She was spitting up a lot, crying. it just didn’t seem right. She was incredibly irritable.

AUBREY: The worst of it came just after breast-feedings. when she described these symptoms to Hassall, he told Tara to change her diet to remove certain protein from her breast-milk.

CREE: He said I’m going to suggest that you try elimination of certain foods and it’s often the cause of reflux. so I eliminated dairy, soy and wheat from my diet.

AUBREY: Cree says it was a radical change. But she says right away her daughter’s symptoms started to improve.

CREE: Two days of me eliminating that from diet that I started to see a positive impact and by day three or four she was a different baby.

AUBREY: Now, not every baby will get the same relief from a mother’s diet change or by switching to a non-dairy baby formula, though Hassall says he usually starts with this approach, so he doesn’t need to use medicine.

But not all doctors are on the same page on this issue. Pediatric gastroenterologist Benjamin Gold says prescriptions for infants may have escalated, but he says he doesn’t want parents to be left with the wrong message.

DR. BENJAMIN GOLD: there are infants who do benefit from the drugs. And yes, it’s a small proportion of the spitty, irritable, fussy babies. But we have to be careful that we don’t swing the pendulum back the other way by saying, oh, these drugs are all bad.

AUBREY: Gold says what’s needed are better diagnostic tools to determine which babies truly need the medicine. And this requires more research. for now, he says, sometimes you have to try a baby on the medicine.

GOLD: The problem is that right now we are not able to clearly determine which children are going to benefit and which aren’t.

AUBREY: Advisors to the Food and Drug Administration have been looking at this issue. they say the limited data in infants suggests the medicines are fairly safe, but there are reports of intestinal inflammation and one study found an increased risk of pneumonia. FDA advisors say given the evidence that the medicines are not effective in treating babies with reflux, prescriptions should be reserved for infants who’ve been diagnosed with problems such as erosive esophagitis, a serious condition that afflicts relatively few babies.

Allison Aubrey, NPR News.

Basildon family: Our mission to raise awareness of cervical cancer

2:00pm Monday 15th August 2011

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WATCHING someone you love waste away from a killer disease is awful to endure.

But it’s something Alex Waters had to do.

Alex is still grieving for her step-daughter, who died of cervical cancer, aged just 24.

Adela Waters was a single mum, so her death, in June, also left two young children without a mother.

one of the hardest things for Alex, 42, to come to terms with is that Adela’s death could have been prevented if she had been diagnosed early enough.

now, Alex, from Basildon, is trying to achieve something positive from the tragedy.

she is working to raise awarness of cervical cancer and is encouraging all young women to get checked out if they feel things aren’t quite right.

she explained: “Adela knew something was wrong. she was bleeding really badly and kept going to the GP. But she just kept being told it was nothing to worry about.

“Eventually, in October last year, she was screened for cancer and told the news it was most likely terminal.

“It was too late by that time. Adela was only 24 with two children and her whole life ahead of her.”

Adela, from Surrey, began a course of chemo-therapy, determined to fight the cancer, but her frail body couldn’t take it and she died six months later.

Alex said: “I’m desperate to raise awareness to cervical cancer and how women need to be aware of the symptoms.

“Cases like Jade Goody have helped put cervival cancer in the spotlight, but more needs to be done.

“At the moment, women are screened from 25 onwards for cervical cancer. I would like to see this age bracket reduced or at least see more doctors sending younger patients for screening if they feel something is wrong – not just dismissing them.”

When big Brother celebrity Jade Goody died in March 2009 of cervical cancer she was 27, and like Adela, a mum of two.

Jade’s death helped make the world sit up and take notice that young women die of cancer too.

after her death, a record number of women asked for smear tests and a campaign began to persuade NHS health chiefs to introduce screening for women bet-ween the ages of 20 and 24.

however, experts say the cervix of women of that age is changing and there is a risk their cells may look abnormal when they are not, exposing them to the trauma of further tests and biopsies.

But Alex says women need to be listened to. she added: “After watching someone I loved so much die, I want to get across to women that if you think something is wrong, go to the GP and get it checked out.

“The earlier screening takes place, the more chance there is of saving a person. If we can save even one life through sharing Adela’s story, then her death has not been in vain.”

To show her commitment, Alex, a staff nurse at Brockfield House mental health hospital, in Runwell, will be having her hair shaved off for the charity Cancer Research, on August 26.

the fundraising evening, which will also be a celebration of Adela’s life, will take place at the former Runwell Hospital Social Club. Alex’s husband Carl, 46 – Adela’s father – will also be taking part, with a sponsored leg wax.

As well as getting sponsored to have her locks cut off, Alex’s long hair will be put to good use.

she said: “I heard about a charity called the little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for youngsters who lose their hair to chemotherapy, so they will be getting mine.”

Alex, who has seven children between her and Carl, added: “My dad has also recently been diagnosed with leukemia, but it looks as though he is beating it.

“I feel cancer has affected so many people I love and I need to do something to fight it.

“I would just urge women out there who may be having abnormal symptoms, to trust their instincts. It might save their life.”

To donate, visit donate inmemory.cancerresearch.org/ 0001633

Basildon family: our mission to raise awareness of cervical cancer

2:00pm Monday 15th August 2011

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• Email
• Comments(2)

WATCHING someone you love waste away from a killer disease is awful to endure.

but it’s something Alex Waters had to do.

Alex is still grieving for her step-daughter, who died of cervical cancer, aged just 24.

Adela Waters was a single mum, so her death, in June, also left two young children without a mother.

one of the hardest things for Alex, 42, to come to terms with is that Adela’s death could have been prevented if she had been diagnosed early enough.

now, Alex, from Basildon, is trying to achieve something positive from the tragedy.

she is working to raise awarness of cervical cancer and is encouraging all young women to get checked out if they feel things aren’t quite right.

she explained: “Adela knew something was wrong. she was bleeding really badly and kept going to the GP. but she just kept being told it was nothing to worry about.

“Eventually, in October last year, she was screened for cancer and told the news it was most likely terminal.

“It was too late by that time. Adela was only 24 with two children and her whole life ahead of her.”

Adela, from Surrey, began a course of chemo-therapy, determined to fight the cancer, but her frail body couldn’t take it and she died six months later.

Alex said: “I’m desperate to raise awareness to cervical cancer and how women need to be aware of the symptoms.

“Cases like Jade Goody have helped put cervival cancer in the spotlight, but more needs to be done.

“At the moment, women are screened from 25 onwards for cervical cancer. I would like to see this age bracket reduced or at least see more doctors sending younger patients for screening if they feel something is wrong – not just dismissing them.”

When Big Brother celebrity Jade Goody died in March 2009 of cervical cancer she was 27, and like Adela, a mum of two.

Jade’s death helped make the world sit up and take notice that young women die of cancer too.

After her death, a record number of women asked for smear tests and a campaign began to persuade NHS health chiefs to introduce screening for women bet-ween the ages of 20 and 24.

However, experts say the cervix of women of that age is changing and there is a risk their cells may look abnormal when they are not, exposing them to the trauma of further tests and biopsies.

but Alex says women need to be listened to. she added: “After watching someone I loved so much die, I want to get across to women that if you think something is wrong, go to the GP and get it checked out.

“The earlier screening takes place, the more chance there is of saving a person. If we can save even one life through sharing Adela’s story, then her death has not been in vain.”

to show her commitment, Alex, a staff nurse at Brockfield House mental health hospital, in Runwell, will be having her hair shaved off for the charity Cancer Research, on August 26.

the fundraising evening, which will also be a celebration of Adela’s life, will take place at the former Runwell Hospital Social Club. Alex’s husband Carl, 46 – Adela’s father – will also be taking part, with a sponsored leg wax.

as well as getting sponsored to have her locks cut off, Alex’s long hair will be put to good use.

she said: “I heard about a charity called the little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for youngsters who lose their hair to chemotherapy, so they will be getting mine.”

Alex, who has seven children between her and Carl, added: “My dad has also recently been diagnosed with leukemia, but it looks as though he is beating it.

“I feel cancer has affected so many people I love and I need to do something to fight it.

“I would just urge women out there who may be having abnormal symptoms, to trust their instincts. It might save their life.”

to donate, visit donate inmemory.cancerresearch.org/ 0001633

I went to the gyno awhile back and my first test came back with HPV, so then I had to go back again for another pap test, and everything came back okay. I have HPV but it goes away on it's own but then comes back, how do you know if you have it again if the only symptom you had was itching, there isn't anything visible. I mean how often does it keep coming back. If only they had that vaccine that they have now back when I was in my 20's. I've already had cervical cancer once. I guess my best bet is just to get in to see the dr again…….this can get pricey if it keeps coming back again and again. I mean now that it's the weekend, I'm going to just maybe think it's a yeast infection and go get some cream for that, but if that doesn't cure it, then I for sure need to go to the dr. has any other females had it before, if so how often did it come back and what were your symptoms…….just have so many questions….

There is no symptoms of HPV…and you have it for the rest of your life.

There is a growing awareness about cervical cancer, thanks to massive campaigns in the country featuring many high profile women, including Presidential sister and TV host Kris Aquino and businesswoman Cristalle Henares of the Belo Group.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in the country. Every year, about 6,000 Filipinas are diagnosed with cervical cancer. an estimated 12 Filipinas die of deadly disease on a daily basis. Worldwide, about half a million women are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

The good news is that it is a highly preventable disease, thanks to lifestyle modification. The first step in battling this disease is to raise awareness, to make the many women vulnerable to the disease more aware of the symptoms and causes of the cancer.

Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), specifically type 16 and 18. some factors that have been shown as conducive to the development of this deadly cancer are early sexual intercourse, unprotected sex with multiple partners, having sex with a partner who engages in sexual intercourse with other women and other high risk sexual activities, smoking and low social economic status. The transmission of the HPV virus is the most common sexually transmitted virus among women.

Vaginal bleeding is a sign of an HPV infection or cervical cancer. other symptoms include pelvic pain, loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss, as well as leg and back pain. If left untreated, it can develop into other malignant forms of cancer of the cervix, vulva, and other parts of the body. it can affect a woman’s fertility.

This May is Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention month. Sponsored by the Department of Health, there will be free nationwide medical screening for this disease. With a simple pap smear, early detection of the disease can be done to increase the rate of a successful recovery.

Touted at “Babae! Mahalaga Ka!” the free screening will commence at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila and will be available at 58 government health centers all over the country.

Free screening is every Monday for women of Metro Manila, Wednesdays for the rest of Luzon, Tuesdays for Mindanao residents and Wednesday for those who live in the Visayas region. The free screening is open to women aged 30 to 45 years of age.

Regional kick-off gatherings are also set at the  Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, and Davao Medical Center.

For the list of DOH-retained hospitals, go to www2.doh.gov.ph/doh_retained_hospital.htm. for more information on cervical cancer and other HPV diseases, go to helpfightHPV.com

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However, cervical cancer symptoms may well not be same but there are few medical symptoms checkers that can be present at the early and the later stages of the disease. in medical science, cervical cancer is termed as the malignancy that attacks the lower or the neck part of the female uterus, which is termed as the cervix. Alternatively, it can be stated as the cancer of the female reproductive tract.

Medical symptom checker of the cervical cancer and its factors:-

However, symptoms at the beginning phases are rare but the disease may possibly involve:

The vagina discharges continuously which can be pale, watery, light reddish, bloody and foul smelling.

Between the menstrual periods or the following intercourse, there is abnormal bleeding.

After the Menopause, there is irregular and seldom bleeding.

Periods stays for a longer span of time and also gets heavier.

If these are not detected then the following issues may possibly also rise as:

Main or extreme bleeding if the vagina or the discharge might take place.

There can be discomfort in the pelvic area, in the abdominal part or the back and the legs may also begin paining.

The woman will have no wanting for food or the appetite will be lost.

Tremendous weight loss will take place.

The woman will suffer from extreme tiredness.

The vagina will start leaking urine or often feces.

The bones will get fractured.

The correct cause of the cervical cancer is still not yet understood but may happen due to a virus named human papillomavirus. the virus gets transmitted generally by means of sexually. the factors for which it gets in the body are premature sex, several sex partners and can often result due to several pregnancies. the females generally under the age of 55 are at higher risk of getting affected by this illness.

The cervical cancer is an extremely slow growing disease. the pre stage of this disease is recognized as dysplasia and can be identified by the Pap smear and if treated at the correct time can be simply treated. Cervical cancer can spread to different parts of the body if this precancerous medical symptoms checkers are not treated after being detected.

The diagnosis and the treatment of the illness

As the illness is rarely understood at the beginning stage, so it depends on the pap smear test and the pelvic examinations. a biopsy may also be performed if the precancerous cells are detected on the cervix.

The treatment of this disease depends on the woman’s desire of having children in the future or upon the stage of the disease.

If this disease is identified at the earlier stage then the physician prescribes the surgical procedures or hysterectomy. This test is the removal of the uterus rather than the ovaries.

Medical symptom checker is very popular these days.Click here to know more about Medical symptom checker.

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Controversy

The most common victims of cervical cancer are older woman (i.e. 40+). Cervical Cancer Vaccine Controversy Cervical cancer is generally caused by HPV (human papilloma virus) which gets transmitted through sexual contact and over a period of time (which can last for years) leads to cancerous cervix cells.

Prevention against cervical cancer

Since HPV gets sexually transmitted, having multiple sex partners can increase the chances of occurrence of cervical cancer. The anti-bodies produced by our body are the best guard against HPV and anything that causes our immune system to weaken can also aid in development of cervical cancer. In that sense, taking good care of your health too is a preventive measure for cervical cancer.

Symptoms of cervical cancer

The most common symptoms of cervical cancer include pelvic pain or pain during intercourse, unexpected vaginal discharge or bleeding, increase in the frequency of urination etc. However, the occurrence of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily imply cervical cancer. these symptoms just suggest that cervical cancer could be a possibility and hence point to the need of undergoing other cervical cancer tests

Detecting cervical cancer

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One of the best ways of detecting cervical cancer is to undergo routine/ regular cervical cancer screening tests. The cervical cancer screening test (i.e. the pap test or the pap smear test) is one of the best ways of catching cervical cancer in early stages. This test is not at all painful and just involves brushing off of cells from your cervix for microscopic examination. The pap test results are generally given as a rating on a scale of 1 to 5 where in 1 indicates normal cervix cells and 5 indicates serious cancer signs. Though medical research is constantly trying to create new and better ways of detecting cervical cancer, Pap tests are the best technique that we have available today for early detection of cervical cancer. However, pap tests are not always accurate and if other symptoms strongly suggest cervical cancer, a second round of cervical tests might be recommended by the doctor.

Treatment of cervical cancer

The treatment of cervical cancer is effective mostly when the cervical cancer is detected while it is still in its early stages. The treatment involves surgical procedures (including removal of uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries), chemotherapy and radiation. The earlier you are able to detect cervical cancer, the better are your chances of cure. In fact, pap tests can even detect pre-cancerous stage and hence make the treatment of cervical cancer even more effective.

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