Cervical cancer is a common type of cancer that affects women. According to WHO, cervical cancer rates and deaths are high due to the lack of HPV vaccination and the lack of awareness about screening tests. Cervical cancer can be treated and even cured if diagnosed early. HPV tests and PAP smear tests are both part of cervical cancer screening tests that can help detect precancerous cells at an early stage.
PAP smear is a procedure to examine the cervix for pre-cancerous cells. Sample cells from the cervix are collected and tested in a lab to check for pre-cancerous cells, cervical cancer cells, inflammation, HPV and other infections that could lead to cervical cancer.
The general recommendation is for women between the ages of 21 and 65 to get a PAP smear test at regular intervals. Early detection of cervical cancer or pre-cancerous cells can help in identifying the treatment at the earliest. This can help prevent or cure cervical cancer.
Despite taking samples from the cervix, a PAP smear test does not detect sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea or chlamydia.
A PAP smear test will help identify pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. The frequency of the tests will depend on your previous PAP smear test, your health history and your age.
● For women younger than 21 and older than 65, the test is not necessary.
● For women between 21 and 29 years of age, testing once in 3 years is recommended.
● For women between the ages of 30 and 65, a PAP smear test once in 3 years or a combined test (with HPV screening) once in 5 years is recommended.
● If your immunity is compromised due to various health issues, HIV or chemotherapy, you may need to take these tests more frequently.
● If your previous PAP smear results had irregular results, you need to take these tests more frequently.
● If you have a family history of cervical cancer, you may want to take these tests more frequently.
● If your mother consumed diethylstilboestrol (DES) when carrying you, you need these screening tests more frequently.
● If you do not have a cervix anymore due to a hysterectomy, you don’t need a PAP smear anymore.
An HPV test checks for the presence of the Human Papilloma Virus. This virus can cause changes in the cervical cells. The HPV test is a part of cervical cancer screening that is taken a few days after a woman’s period.
The Human Papilloma Virus can spread through sexual activity and cause changes in the cervical cells, genital warts or cervical cancer. If the cervix was removed through surgery for various reasons, the HPV test will be done on the vaginal cells. In very rare cases or high-risk categories, doctors may even suggest to do the HPV test on the cells in the anus.
The HPV test is generally recommended for women between the ages of 30 and 65. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor. In many cases, doctors may suggest taking the HPV test even for women below the age of 30 if they are in the high-risk category, their PAP smear tests were not clear or their cancer screening test results were atypical.
A positive HPV test only indicates the presence of the HP virus and not cervical cancer. The continued presence of this virus in the cervix can lead to cervical cancer, so treating it at the earliest is advisable.
Both the PAP smear test and the HPV test are part of cervical cancer screening that looks for changes in the cervical cells. Both tests can be done as an outpatient procedure in the doctor’s office and don’t hurt. You don’t need any preparation or admission into the hospital.
While the PAP smear test looks for precancers – cervical cells that look abnormal, the HPV test looks for the presence of the HP Virus. In both tests, a sample from the cervix is collected and sent to the lab for detailed analysis.
Both tests follow a simple procedure that can be done in the clinic and does not require any admission into the hospital. The test involves the following steps:
1. Insert a speculum to open up the vagina
2. Gently swab the cervical cells with a swab or a small brush
3. Place the swab or brush in a clean bag and seal it to avoid contamination
4. Remove the speculum and let the patient go home after a few minutes of recovery.
Cervical cancer is preventable and even curable if detected early. HPV test and PAP smear tests, both help in screening for cervical cancer. Remember, getting positive results on either or both tests does not mean you have cervical cancer. It only shows you are at a high risk of cervical cancer. So early detection and immediate treatment can help prevent cervical cancer. Consult your doctor regarding the timing and frequency of the tests if you are worried.
