Regular cervical cancer screening such as Pap test for women between 25 to 29 years old or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test for women 30 years and above is one of the best ways to protect yourself against cervical cancer. Here are 5 things you need to know before you go for your next cervical cancer screening.
<div class="ExternalClassB24975F04C704FEFA1B70B74FECB6ED4"><h2>1. Do Not Go If You Are On Your Period</h2><p>You cannot be tested during your period as blood cells that are shed during your period may affect the accuracy of your result. Make an appointment 14 days after the start of your period.</p><p>
<strong>Related: <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/16/screening_heart_disease" title="Screening for Heart Disease">Screening for Heart Disease</a></strong></p><h2>2. Be Comfortable and Speak Up If You Feel Pain</h2><p>You may feel some discomfort or pain during the process. It helps if you try to relax when the speculum is inserted. If you feel pain during the process, inform your doctor or nurse immediately.</p><p>
<strong>Related: <a href="http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/403/abcs_of_health_screening" title="ABCs of Health Screening">ABCs of Health Screening</a></strong></p><h2>3. Do Go Even If You Have Been Vaccinated</h2><p>Yes, you should go for a Pap test every three years (if you are between 25 to 29 years old) or HPV test every five years (if you are 30 years old and above) even if you have been vaccinated.</p><p>About 10% to 30% cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV (Human Papilloma Viru) sub-types which the vaccines do not protect against. In other words, the vaccines do not protect against all cancer-causing HPV sub-types.</p><p>Going for regular cervical cancer screening is still your best protection against cervical cancer.</p><p>
<strong>Related: <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1633/all-you-need-to-know-about-vaccinations" title="All About Vaccinations">All You Need to Know About Vaccinations</a></strong></p><h2>4. The Risk of Cervical Cancer Increases with Age</h2><p>Women who have had sexual intercourse and have never had a cervical cancer screening should go for screening despite their age. However, a menopausal woman who goes for regular screening may be discharged at 69 years of age if her Pap test of HPV test taken at this point in time is negative and the previous test within the last 3 years was negative for Pap test and 5 years for HPV test. Please consult your doctor if you are unsure.</p><p>
<strong>Related: <a href="http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/446/sexualityandageing" title="Sexuality and Ageing">Sexuality and Ageing</a></strong></p><h2>5. Make It a Habit</h2><p>Even if you feel healthy, a cervical cancer screening can either detect changes in the cervix or identify high-risk cancer causing HPV strains even before abnormal cervical cells become cancerous. You are encouraged to make it a habit to go for a Pap test once every 3 years if you are between 25 to 29 years old or a HPV test if you are 30 years old and above, even if you do not experience any symptoms or pain.</p><p>
<em>Visit our <a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/703/faqs-on-screening-for-cervical-cancer-pap-smear" title="FAQs on Pap Smear Screening">FAQs on Pap Smear Screening</a> for more information.</em></p><hr /><p>
<strong>Read these next:</strong></p><ul><li>
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/701/faqs-on-hpv-and-hpv-immunisation" title="HPV Immunisation">FAQs on HPV and HPV Immunisation</a></li><li>
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/312/HPV_immunisation_FAQ" title="What Every Woman Needs to Know About HPV Immunisation">What Every Woman Needs to Know About HPV Immunisation</a></li><li>
<a href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/402/faqs_on_health_screening" title="FAQs on Health Screening">FAQs on Health Screening</a></li></ul></div>
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Monday, April 9, 2018
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Monday, May 6, 2019
<div class="ExternalClassA318562EAD924B8098B4452F01AA643E"><p>Health Promotion Board
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<div class="ExternalClass8B0E8B60B3184B589F5BD92FBA1CA034">Established in 2001, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has a vision to build a nation of healthy people.
HPB implements programmes that reach out to the population, specifically children, adults and the elderly. These programmes include health and dental services for school children, BreastScreen Singapore, AIDS Education Programme, CervicalScreen Singapore, Childhood Injury Prevention Programme, Mental Health Education Programme, National Myopia Prevention Programme, Physical Activity, National Smoking Control Programme, Nutrition Programme, Osteoporosis Education Programme, Workplace Health Promotion Programme, HPB Online, HealthLine, Health Information Centre and HealthZone. New programmes will also be initiated over time to address health concerns among the community.</div>
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5 Things You Need to Know Before Your Next Cervical Cancer Screening
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ICD-2-Neoplasms, PGM_Cervical Screening, PGM_Healthy Screening, PGM_Workplace Health, GENDER_Female, AGE_Adult, INTEREST_Sexual Health ＆ Relationships