Womens Cancer Screening

Dr Rohit Malde

 Cervical cancer kills 1 Indian woman every 7 minutes 73,000 women die of cervical cancer every year in India India represents 26.4% of all women dying of cervical cancer globally.

Where is the cervix?

What is a Paps smear/ test?

The Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer that involves The collection and examination of exfoliated cervical cells during a speculum exam Examination of the cells for preinvasive cervical neoplasia or frankly invasive cancer

What causes abnormal changes on the cervix?

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) & Smoking HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) HPV is spread by direct skin to skin contact including sexual intercourse, oral sex, anal sex, or any other contact inv genital area (eg hand to genital). It does not spread via contact on toilet seat.

HPV infection does not cause any signs / symptoms

Most infections are temporary and resolve within 2 years. When the virus persists (10-20%) these cause changes in cervix over 5-10 years

Who else is at risk of cervical cancer

Women with immune problems
HIV Transplanted organs Steroid medications Chemotherapy

Women whose mothers took the drug, DES

HPV
HPV can cause abnormal changes on a

womans cervix Sometimes abnormal changes can become cancerous. A Pap test can find these abnormal changes before they turn into cancer.

Pap test

Do I need a Pap test?

All women who have ever been

sexually active (sexual intercourse and intimate touching), regardless of sexual orientation, should have regular Pap tests.

When should I have a Pap test?

Pap testing should begin 3 years after first sexual activity Most women need a Pap test every 2-3 years.

The test is not perfect and not a one time test. New changes (abnormalities) can occur after you get tested, even if you have not had new partners It could take many years for changes to develop or to be noticed Your risk changes if you have new partners, or if your partner has other partners

What should I do before a Pap test?

Schedule your Pap test
after your period has stopped completely.
Two weeks after treatment for any cervical or vaginal infection.

Do not use tampons, douches, creams

and/or foams for 48 hours before your Pap test.

What should I do before a Pap test?

Try not to have sexual intercourse for 24

hours before the test. If you need a repeat Pap test, you should wait at least 3 months in order to allow cells on the cervix to grow back.

Remember
Most cervical cancers can be prevented

if women have regular Pap tests with follow-up for abnormal changes.

What is the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccines protect against certain

types of HPV which cause cervical cancer. The vaccines do not treat existing HPV infections. If you receive the vaccine, you still need regular Pap tests. Indicated in girls / women between 9-26 years before sexually active. Vaccinating men ? ?

Any questions?