Cervical cancer can be diagnosed early through regular screening. If you are sexually active, these tests should be performed every 3 years until the age of 30, and subsequently every 5 years if tests are normal.
Pap smear
A pap smear is a screening test used to detect precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix before it progresses to invasive cervical cancer. It is a simple procedure done in the outpatient clinic and only takes about 10 – 20 minutes.
During a pap smear, the doctor will use a speculum to hold the vagina open. A soft brush is then used to collect some cells from your cervix which will be sent for review in a laboratory. A normal result means that no precancerous or cancerous cells were found in your cervix. If you have an abnormal result, your doctor will advise you to have more tests done.
It is best to avoid sexual intercourse for 24 hours before having a pap smear. You should also schedule your pap smear during days when you do not have your menstrual period.
Biopsy
While the Pap smear is an effective cervical cancer screening test, a biopsy is needed to confirm the presence of cervical cancer or pre-cancer. This can be done during a colposcopy, which is a painless, 15-minute outpatient procedure. A colposcope, a special magnifying instrument, will be used to aid the visual inspection of the cervix. During the procedure, the doctor will apply a diluted acidic solution such as vinegar to highlight any abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. If there are any areas of suspicious cells, samples will be taken and sent to the lab for review.
These screening methods are used to detect precancer of the cervix – known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. If detected as a precancer, treatment is usually via a day surgical procedure and does not affect the patient’s fertility, as it involves removing only the diseased part of the cervix.
However, if there are symptoms, then it is more likely to be an abnormal growth rather than a precancerous condition. For diagnosis, you will need to see a gynaecologist for assessment for any obvious growth on the cervix which may need to be biopsied.
If there is indeed an early cancer proven on biopsy, then further testing is needed to determine the stage for treatment. This can include examination under anaesthesia, scopes and scans.