TCT, or thin-layer liquid-based cytology, is a cervical cytology test that involves morphological analysis of cervical cells through a microscope and is the most basic method of cervical cancer screening. Cervical cell HPV
DNA test is a virological test that screens cervical cells for HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, both of which are cervical cancer screening methods and are often used in combination. Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy, but its progression is usually long. Usually early screening and surveillance can prevent the development of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is closely related to HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, which is widely present in humans and animals and has many subtypes.
HPV viruses are mainly acquired through sexual contact and most women have been infected at some point in their lives. 90% of women can regress naturally through their own immune system 1-2 years after initial infection. Repeated persistent high-risk HPV infections can eventually develop into cervical cancer, a process with a median time frame of 15-25 years. Therefore, screening and surveillance are important tools to interrupt the progression of cervical cancer. Cervical epithelium mainly consists of squamous epithelial cells and columnar epithelial cells, and the junction of these two types of epithelium is the site of cervical cancer, so cervical cancer screening usually takes cells from this area for TCT, HPV and DNA examination.
The 2016 guidelines on cervical cancer screening issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) state that cervical cancer screening is recommended to begin at age 21, with women aged 21-29 years having TCT every three years and women aged 30-65 years having TCT every five years. Women aged 30-65 years can undergo TCT + HPV combined screening every 5 years or every 3 years.
DNA combined screening or TCT every 3 years for women aged 30-65. At present, the relevant authoritative guidelines that fit the situation in China have not been issued, and the cervical cancer vaccine is not yet popular in China compared with foreign developed countries, so screening is more active.
If they are negative, they can be screened once every three years. If the screening result is abnormal, further examination should be conducted according to the specific result and regular review according to medical advice.