Is it necessary to do cervical cancer screening?

Cervical cancer screening is necessary, especially for sexually active women. Cervical cancer screening mainly includes cervical cytology and human papillomavirus testing, which helps to detect precancerous lesions or cervical cancer early.

Cervical cancer usually has no obvious symptoms in the early stages. By the time symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and increased secretions appear, it may have progressed to the mid-to-late stage. Regular screening can detect problems at the precancerous stage, when treatment is more effective and the cure rate is higher. The occurrence of cervical cancer is closely related to human papillomavirus infection, and human papillomavirus infection is more common in sexually active people. Screening can detect high-risk human papillomavirus infections in time and take corresponding intervention measures. Women who have been vaccinated against HPV still need regular screening because the vaccine does not protect against all cancer-causing types of HPV.

Some women may think that they don’t need a checkup if they don’t have symptoms, or they may feel uncomfortable with a gynecological checkup and avoid it. In fact, the cervical cancer screening process is simple and quick. The doctor will use a special brush to gently collect cervical cells. The whole process usually only takes a few minutes. For postmenopausal women, changes in cervical tissue may make sampling more difficult, but doctors will take steps to ensure sampling quality. Immunocompromised women are at a higher risk of persistent human papillomavirus infection and cervical lesions and need to pay more attention to regular screening.

It is recommended that sexually active women over the age of 21 undergo regular cervical cancer screening. The specific frequency of screening and the age at which to stop screening need to be determined based on personal circumstances and doctor's advice. Maintaining good living habits, avoiding multiple sexual partners, using condoms, and quitting smoking can all help reduce the risk of cervical cancer. If abnormal results are found during screening, do not be overly nervous and cooperate with your doctor in a timely manner for further examination and treatment.