Screening for Cervical Cancer

Screening for cervical cancer helps identify and prevent cervical cancer from spreading. Early detection is the key to a higher survival rate. Having regular pap smears and checking for HPV are successful ways to locate cervical cancer in its early stages.

Significance

• Screening for cervical cancer is crucial for quick recovery. Identifying it early allows doctors to treat it before it spreads, preventing cancer in other organs.

Identification

• Cervical cancer is identified by locating abnormal cell growth in the cervix. A doctor scrapes the inside of the cervix and observes the sample through a microscope.

Types

• A pap smear is used to locate abnormal cell growth, the main indicator of cancer. A HPV screening is used to indicate if a person is at a higher risk of developing cancer.

Time Frame

• Women should have a cervical cancer screening every six months.

Misconceptions

• Many women assume they cannot get cervical cancer at a young age. Jade Goody, a Big Brother UK contestant, died from cervical cancer at the age of 27.