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Cervical cancer screening guidelines updated

cervical cancer screening
cervical cancer screening

New guidelines for cervical cancer screening were announced today by Cancer Care Ontario, an Ontario government agency that focuses on quality and continuous improvement in disease prevention and screening.

The new guidelines suggest that screening begin for women who have had sexual contact starting at age 21, once every three years, up to the age of 70. If a woman has had three regular results in the previous 10 years at age 70, she can stop screening.

"Regular screening every three years starting at age 21 can detect changes that might lead to cancer. New research shows that screening women under age 21, regardless of the age they first became sexually active, doesn't actually reduce their risk for cervical cancer," says Dr. Linda Rabeneck, vice-president, prevention and cancer control, Cancer Care Ontario. The new guidelines are also supported by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Previously, women were advised to get a pap test annually within three years of becoming sexually active, and then every 2-3 years if their last three tests were negative.

Here's what else you need to know about this deadly disease.

What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is caused by abnormal changes to the cells of the cervix, often from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Both men and women can carry the virus, which is spread through sexual contact. While most cases of HPV resolve with no effects, they sometimes linger and these changes in the cells can lead to cervical cancer.

[See also: What you should know about hepatitis C]

Who's at risk for cervical cancer?

All women who are sexually active are at risk for cervical cancer, even if they've been vaccinated against HPV.

Other risk factors include: becoming sexually active at a young age; having many sexual partners, or having a sexual partner that has had many sexual partners; smoking; an immune system weakened from taking drugs following a transplant, or having a disease such as AIDS; the use of birth control pills for a long period of time; giving birth to many children; and having taken diethylstilbestrol (DES), or being the daughter of a mother who took DES.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Most of the time there are no symptoms of cervical cancer, but sometimes one or more of these symptoms could be an indication of cervical cancer: abnormal bleeding from the vagina; bleeding or spotting between regular menstrual periods; bleeding after sex; menstrual periods that last longer and are heavier than before; bleeding after menopause; more discharge from the vagina than normal; pain in the pelvis or lower back; or pain during sexual intercourse.

Screening is the only way to know for certain if you have cervical cancer, and is thought to have contributed to the steady decline in the rates of cervical cancer over the past several decades.

What's involved in screening?

In order to screen for cervical cancer, a woman must have a pap test done. A nurse practitioner or doctor will take a swab of cells from your cervix to be analyzed in a lab. Some women find the exam uncomfortable, but statistics show that regular screening saves lives.

It's best to do the appointment on a day when you're not menstruating and haven't had sexual intercourse or put anything inside your vagina that could interfere with the results.

Women who wish to learn more about cervical cancer screening are encouraged to speak with their health care provider.

What treatments are there for cervical cancer?

Treatment for cervical cancer can involve surgery, radiation or chemotherapy (or a combination), depending on several factors including your specific type of cancer and its progression.

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