Make sure you have a cervical smear test as often as your doctor recommends. It’s worth making time even if you’re busy or feeling perfectly fine. It’s an important part of taking control of your health and looking after yourself.

 

FACT: An ‘abnormal result’ is not necessarily cancer. However in some cases cancer may be found when an abnormal test is investigated further. If the results of your cervical smear test are abnormal, your doctor will explain what needs to be done. If the abnormal cervical cell changes are mild, your doctor may simply choose to closely monitor them as the majority of cells may return to normal in further tests.

 

This simple test that can detect abnormal cervical cells has greatly reduced cervical cancer deaths in Europe and could also help save your life.

Make sure to have a cervical smear test as often as your doctor recommends. It’s worth making time even if you’re busy or feeling perfectly fine. It’s an important part of taking control of your health and looking after yourself.

 

FACT: A cervical smear test (also known as a smear test) is part of a routine gynaecological examination and helps detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix. Through the process of screening, pre-cancerous cells can be picked up and women treated effectively to prevent cervical cancer developing.

FACT: Although human papillomavirus is very common,cervical cancer is not.

Most human papillomavirus infections are cleared by your body’s immune system within a year.

When a woman becomes infected with certain types of human papillomavirus and her body does not clear the infection, abnormal cells can develop in the lining of her cervix. If these abnormal cells are not treated early, they can become cancer. In most cases, this process can take a number of years.

FACT: Any woman could be affected. Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, which commonly cause infection in young people; up to 80% of sexually active people will be infected with human papillomavirus at some point in their lifetime⁷.

Sexual relations, that involve genital contact with someone carrying genital papillomaviruses,could result in infection.A single partner infected with human papillomavirus is sufficient to cause infection. It has been shown that most people now contract the human papillomavirus in their late teens and early twenties.Most women learn they have human papillomavirus as a result of an abnormal smear test. Therefore you should receive regular cervical screening if you have ever had a sexual experience.

 

 And, more importantly, you can tell others about human papillomavirus. There are so many women who are unaware of human papillomavirus and its link with cervical cancer. You should talk about it with your girlfriends and your family members. Tell someone – that way you can possibly help prevent someone else developing cervical cancer!

FACT: A condom does not always protect against transmission of human papillomavirus. The human papillomavirus is very common, easily transmitted and can be totally symptomless. Anyone who has had sexual relations, including genital contact with someone carrying genital papillomaviruses,could be infected.

 

A single partner infected with human papillomavirus is sufficient to cause infection.⁴⁴ It has been shown that most people contract the human papillomavirus in adolescence.¹⁸

However, it is still important to use condoms as they can protect against other sexually transmitted diseases. 

FACT: Generally, smear testing does not cause bleeding. Sometimes ‘spotting’ (a small amount of bleeding) can occur for a short time.

FACT: Treatment will always be tailored to your personal needs. Treatment depends on a number of factors - where the cancer is, whether it has spread, and whether it's affecting your body functions and general health. The decision of which treatment method to use is something a doctor and patient often make together, based on several factors, including: