What does cervical screening check for?
Recently, several female friends around me have undergone cervical cancer screening and advised me to have this examination as well. However, I am not familiar with the specific details of cervical cancer screening. Could you please explain what exactly is involved in this screening test?
Doctor's answer (1)
Cervical screening is primarily used for the early detection of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Cervical screening mainly includes cervical cytology, human papillomavirus (HPV) testing, and colposcopy.
1. Cervical Cytology: This is the fundamental test in cervical screening, also known as TCT (Thinprep Cytologic Test). It involves examining changes in the morphology of cervical cells to detect abnormal cells such as those exhibiting altered cell shape or enlarged nuclei, thereby enabling the early detection of precancerous cells.
2. Human Papillomavirus Testing: Human papillomavirus is the primary causative factor for cervical cancer. HPV DNA testing of cervical secretions can determine whether a woman is infected with HPV and whether the infection is with a high-risk or low-risk type of HPV.
3. Colposcopy: When cervical cytology or HPV test results are abnormal, a colposcopy is further performed. Using optical magnification, it allows observation of the blood vessels and epithelial morphology on the cervical surface to accurately identify the location of lesions.
The main purpose of cervical screening is to improve cure rates and reduce mortality from cervical cancer. Early detection of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions allows timely treatment to prevent disease progression. Therefore, it is recommended that all women at risk for cervical cancer, especially those aged 21 to 65, undergo regular cervical screening to ensure cervical health.
