How Frequently Should Cervical Screening Be Done?

Update Date: 2024-05-28 Source: Network

The incidence of cervical cancer is increasing, and women are paying more and more attention to it. Everyone attaches great importance to cervical cancer screening, which has now become widespread. Cervical cancer screening can help detect small lesions in the cervix in a timely manner, especially for patients with chronic cervicitis, cervical erosion, and cervical polyps. So, how often should cervical screening be done? Let's take a look below.

1. How often should cervical screening be done?

Firstly, doctors usually recommend that women undergo cervical screening once a year under normal conditions. The main examination items are TCT and HPV, which are the basic time limits and the standard for women within a year without any physical abnormalities. If a woman experiences abdominal or waist pain, or abnormal vaginal discharge within six months after cervical screening, it is not necessary to wait for a full year to undergo cervical screening again. This is a special situation, and the timing of cervical screening should be determined based on individual physical conditions.

Secondly, women who have undergone abortion or have symptoms of cervical erosion should shorten the interval between cervical screenings to prevent lesions in the cervical area caused by mechanical stimulation or severe conditions. Additionally, it is important to follow the doctor's advice and take medication or undergo regular check-ups.

Lastly, it is worth noting that if a woman's cervical screenings remain normal for two consecutive years, the screening interval can be appropriately extended to once every three years. However, for women at high risk, the interval between cervical screenings should be shortened accordingly.

2. What is the role of cervical screening?

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, and its incidence varies geographically, with a higher occurrence rate in developing countries compared to developed countries. In the early stages of cervical cancer, such as cervical carcinoma in situ, timely detection and surgical treatment can effectively control or even cure the disease. However, once it reaches the stage of invasive cancer, which is the later stage of cancer metastasis, treatment methods often involve chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which can be relatively painful, costly, and have a low success rate.

Since the development of cervical cancer is a relatively long process, cervical screening plays a crucial role in detecting cancer at its early stages, thereby preventing further progression of the disease. The goal is to achieve early prevention, detection, and treatment, which can effectively reduce the incidence and subsequent mortality rates of cervical cancer.