How often should cervical cancer screening be performed?

Under normal circumstances, it is recommended that healthy women undergo cervical cancer screening once a year, with one examination providing protection for a full year. Women who have received related treatments may require more frequent screenings, with each examination providing protection for 2 to 6 months. If any abnormalities are detected, prompt medical attention is advised. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Cervical cancer is a relatively slow-developing cancer, often taking several years, even decades, to progress from precancerous lesions to full-blown cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening typically includes the TCT test and HPV test. The TCT test can quickly rule out cervical cancer and precancerous changes in a short period, while the HPV test identifies whether there is a human papillomavirus infection in the body. For healthy women who have not undergone cervical treatments and have no high-risk factors, it is recommended to undergo cervical cancer screening once annually.

For women who have already received treatments such as cervical conization, total hysterectomy, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, more frequent examinations are recommended for a period after treatment. Within 6 months post-treatment, it is advised to have an examination every 2 months; during the first 1 to 2 years after treatment, every 3 months; between 3 to 5 years post-treatment, every 6 months; and after 5 years, screening can return to an annual schedule.

In daily life, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is recommended, including improving dietary habits, engaging in appropriate physical exercise, enhancing physical fitness, and reducing the risk of illness.