By Rachel Chesley / For The Herald
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. In the event that you do get it, it’s very treatable. In fact, it’s one of the only cancers we can largely prevent with a vaccine. So it’s worth your health to get regular screenings.
Sometimes fear of the unknown — or fear of an abnormal result — causes people to put off scheduling an appointment altogether. Here’s what you can expect during a cervical cancer screening and what your next steps might be.
A Pap test (sometimes called a Pap smear) is a type of routine cervical cancer screening. Simply put, your health care provider uses a swab to collect cells from the cervix to be examined under a microscope. If the test reveals abnormalities in the cervical cells, you’ll need to do additional screening. That’s when you will get a call from your provider’s office; and when many people get scared or anxious about the possibility of cancer.
In the vast majority of cases, an abnormal result does not mean you have cervical cancer. Mild changes may require further evaluation or closer monitoring. Precancerous changes can be treated to help prevent the development of cancer.
Who needs the be screened and how often?
Anyone with a cervix needs cervical cancer screenings. Discuss the best schedule for you with your doctor, but in general, screening should start at age 21. It’s recommended every three years for people in their 20s and every five years for people 30 through 65 years old.
While Pap tests should start in young adulthood, cervical cancer prevention starts much younger, with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
HPV is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection — contracted by women and men — and it usually causes no symptoms. That means you can have it for years and never know. We recommend people get vaccinated long before they may become sexually active – ideally at 11 or 12. It’s recommended for everyone under 26, regardless of gender. The HPV vaccine is a series of two or three doses, depending on age.
When in doubt, speak up.
Gynecologic care is such a personal and often sensitive field of medicine that many patients are reluctant to ask for clarification or bring up potentially embarrassing topics. But as health care providers, we love these questions. Nothing you say will shock us, and no question is too awkward or small. It’s our job to ensure you’re fully informed and comfortable with every aspect of your care.
If you’re due for a cervical cancer screening, go to your provider or www.evergreenhealth.com/find-a-doctor to connect with an EvergreenHealth health care provider.
Rachel Chesley is an advanced registered nurse practitioner and a doctor of nursing practice with EvergreenHealth in Kirkland.
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