1. What is a cervical cytology test?
Cervical cytology is a screening test that looks for abnormal cells in the cells of the cervix (the opening of the uterus). Cells are scraped from the cervix and then examined under a microscope for abnormal cells. The abnormal cells may or may not suggest precancerous lesions.
2.Who needs cervical cytology test?
Female, age 21-65 years old.
Women over 65 years old who have had precancerous lesions or cervical cancer.
Women who have had a hysterectomy due to high cervical lesions.
3.What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that infects epithelial tissues. there are more than 150 types of HPV, more than 40 types of HPV infect the anogenitalia of men and women, and more than 14 types are associated with cervical cancer. HPV is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral-genital contact. women over 30 years of age should be tested for HPV at the same time as cervical cytology, if possible. For a subset of women over 30 years of age, the interval between combined cervical cytology and HPV screening can be longer.
Women over the age of 21 with “atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)” should be screened for HPV.
4. Do I need an HPV test?
HPV infection is extremely common, especially in women in their 20s. Many women test positive for HPV, but most will spontaneously resolve, so it does not make sense for every woman to be tested for HPV.
HPV testing is recommended in the following two situations
If you are under 30 years of age and have “atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)” on cervical cytology, HPV testing is recommended. If a cervical fluid-based cytology is done, then the doctor will recommend HPV testing automatically.
Over the age of 30, it is recommended that every woman have an HPV test added to her cervical cytology. This allows a planned decision to be made about when the next cervical cytology test will be done. It does not matter if you have not had an HPV test, your doctor can still do routine cervical cytology and follow up with you appropriately.
5. Do I need to have a cervical cytology test once a year?
The frequency of cervical cytology depends on the results of your last cervical cytology test.
If the last cervical cytology was normal and/or the HPV test was negative, then you do not need to have a cervical cytology test every year.
Women aged 21-29 years: a cervical cytology test every three years is sufficient.
Women aged 30-65 years: combined cervical cytology + HPV test screening every five years. Or cervical cytology every three years without HPV test.
If the cervical cytology is normal, your doctor will suggest a time for your next cervical cytology test.
6. What do I need to do to prepare for the cervical cytology test?
Do not use lubricants, birth control foams or gels, or vaginal creams containing medication for at least two days prior to the cervical cytology test.
Do not have a vaginal douche at least two days before the cervical cytology test.
Avoid sexual intercourse at least two days before the cervical cytology test.
Record the date of your last menstrual cycle and any abnormal symptoms, such as vaginal discharge, and inform your doctor.
7.What is the best time to have a cervical cytology test?
The best time to have a cervical cytology test is the middle days of your menstrual cycle, approximately the 14th day after the start of your menstrual cycle.
Do not do cervical cytology during your menstrual cycle. Bleeding can affect the test results.
If you notice bleeding that is not part of your normal menstrual cycle, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.
8.Who needs HPV vaccination?
Women between the ages of 11-26 should receive the HPV vaccine.
It is best to get the HPV vaccine before you start having sex. This is because the purpose of the vaccination is to prevent the most important types of HPV infections before exposure.
If you are already infected with HPV, the vaccine will not cure the HPV infection. However, vaccination is still recommended.
Do not get the HPV vaccine if you are allergic to any of the components of the vaccine or if you are pregnant.
9. If I have received the HPV vaccine, do I still need to have a cervical cytology test?
Yes. The vaccine is not effective for all HPV types; it only targets a few types that are most associated with cervical cancer. Even if you have received the HPV vaccine, you should still have regular cervical cytology exams, just like the unvaccinated population.
10.What should I do if my cervical cytology test is normal?
If the cervical cytology is normal and you did not have a concurrent HPV test, then you should repeat the test in three years.
If the cervical cytology is normal and the HPV test is negative, then you can repeat the test after five years.
If the cervical cytology is normal, but the HPV test is positive, you should talk to your doctor to determine what to do next.
Even though you may not need an annual cervical cytology test, it is still important that you see your doctor once a year and continue to receive clinical services.
11. What should I do if my cervical cytology test is abnormal?
If your cervical cytology is abnormal (ASC-US), your doctor may order an HPV test, which will help determine what to do next
Treatment for abnormal cervical cytology varies, depending on the degree of abnormality. Your doctor may ask you to have a colposcopy, which allows you to see the cervix more clearly and find the abnormal area. Your doctor may take a biopsy of the abnormal area in order to make a more accurate diagnosis.
12. I have heard that cervical cytology tests can be wrong, is this true?
The accuracy of cervical cytology is not 100%. Cervical cytology may miss abnormal cells even if they are present. Repeating the cervical cytology test after an interval is the best way to ensure that abnormal cells are detected.
13.At what point can I stop doing cervical cytology?
You can stop having cervical cytology after age 65 as long as you do not have a history of cervical cancer or some kind of precancerous lesion, and you can also stop having cervical cytology after a total hysterectomy (which also removes the cervix).
If you have had your uterus removed (this procedure also removes the cervix), you no longer need to have cervical cytology regardless of your age. However, it is still important that you visit your health care provider regularly for medical care.