Cervical Cancer Screening

Introduction

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is not always well-understood but this type of cancer is the 9th most common types of cancer for women in Singapore. The average female has about a 0.68% risk of developing cervical cancer in her lifetime.

While these odds seem low, it remains important to have regular screening. The age of the women most commonly diagnosed with cervical cancer includes 30-34 and 80-84 although it can occur at any point in life.

The cervix is a structure located at the end of the uterus and opens into the vagina. The leading cause of cervical cancer is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact, although it can be transmitted through close skin contact.

Also read: STD Treatments related to HPV

Did you know?

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact, although it can be transmitted through close skin contact.

In addition to cervical cancer, it can also cause vulva and vagina cancers, as well as genital warts and anal and throat cancer in men and women.

When the cervix is infected by some high risk strains of HPV, the cervical cells may become inflamed and grow in an abnormal manner, leading to cancer.

The only good news about this type of cancer is that early detection and treatment lead to good outcomes in most cases.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of Cervical cancer in Singapore?

While this type of cancer can affect any woman, there are a few risk factors that increase the chances of cervical cancer:

Having multiple sexual partners
Being sexually active at an early age
Smoking
Using oral contraceptives more than five years
Compromised immune system

Even if you don’t have these risk factors, it is still important to know the signs and symptoms although these may not always occur even in women who have cervical cancer. The most common symptoms include vaginal bleeding and discharge and bleeding after intercourse.

The most common symptoms include vaginal bleeding and discharge and bleeding after intercourse

Causes

How can I protect myself against cervical cancer?

The good news for women is that there are two primary ways to protect yourself: Have regular screening done and vaccinate against this type of cancer.

The current guidelines recommend that women in the age range of 25-69 and sexually active should undergo routine pap smears every three years. Those that are age 30 and older should have a HPV test in addition to the pap smear every five years. There may be different recommendations based on your risk factors, hence you should check with your doctor if a more regular testing is needed.

Schedule a cervical screening at least five days after the end of your menstrual period. The presence of any menstrual blood may affect the test sample outcome so avoid having any screening done during your period.

Vaccinating Against Cervical Cancer

Many people have already had this vaccine as a part of their medical history. This vaccine is a HPV 9-valent vaccination that protects against the nine most common strains of HPV. Both males and females from ages 9-26 should receive this vaccination although the FDA recently approved it to be done in any female up to 45 years old.

This vaccine should also be given for anyone who has been previously sexually active. It is possible that you may have been exposed to certain strains of the HPV virus, but there may still be strains that you have not been exposed to – which means that the vaccine will offer you some protection.
One common misconception with the vaccination is that it eliminates the need to have screening performed. Keep in mind that there are over 150 strains of HPV viruses and the vaccine only protects against nine of them. Women who have been vaccinated should still have a routine pap smear when they are sexually active.
It’s also important for men to receive the HPV vaccine. This vaccine is beneficial in reducing risks of developing genital warts and anal cancer that can appear in both men and women.

What happens during a Cervical Cancer Screening?

If you have not been tested for cervical health, it is important to schedule an appointment for cervical health screening and to check if you have been vaccinated in your medical history.

During your appointment, your doctor will advise you on how often to have the testing performed to keep your risks low. Our healthcare providers will also help you to keep track and remind you when your next dose is due.

When it comes to cervical cancer, the vaccination should also be accompanied with regular screening to help you monitor for any abnormalities that can affect your cervix and aids in early detection of potentially cancerous cells. Make sure to also talk to your healthcare provider about any abnormalities such as bleeding, pain, or abnormal discharge that you may have noticed.

Cancer Health Screening Vaccinations Women's Health