Why Screening Matters

Cervical cancer screening is important because:

• Cervical cancer can take up to 15 years to develop.
  
• It often shows no signs or symptoms in the early stages.
• If found early, it can be prevented or treated before it becomes serious.

That’s why you should go for regular Pap tests or HPV tests, even if you feel fine and have no family history of cancer.

Who Is at Risk

All women who have had any form of sexual activity, even if it was a long time ago.

Risk is higher for women who:

• Have a weakened immune system (for example, from lupus).
• Are HIV-positive.

Learn more about cervical cancer in this guide.

How HPV Affects Risk

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is the main cause of cervical cancer. Some strains, like HPV 16 and 18, are known to be high risk.

But having a high-risk strain doesn’t mean you will definitely get cancer.

• Your body may clear the virus on its own.
• In some cases, the virus may persist and cause an ongoing infection. That could lead to cancer.
• If you test positive, it’s important to follow up with your doctor.

Pap and HPV Tests

You should still go for screening after getting the HPV vaccine.

• The HPV vaccine protects against 70% to 90% of the most common cancer-causing HPV strains.
• It does not cover all types.

Regular Pap or HPV tests can find early changes that the vaccine may miss.