SCREENING for cervical cancer which should be done once a year, referring to the new rules, just done 3-5 years. In addition to screening, both women and men should get a HPV vaccine.
Some experts sometimes disagree about the frequency of screening rules. More experts reach an agreement, including on the issue of criteria for women who should be screened and at what age screening is done, especially against cervical cancer. The main cause of cervical cancer is a virus or HPV (human papillomavirus).
According to Center for Disease Prevention and the United States, HPV is very common in women.
"However, only in some people with HPV can lead to cancer," said Dr. Mark Einstein, a OBGYN from Montefiore Medical Center, New York.
"This is what makes it very difficult types of cancer screening. Moreover, it took long enough for the virus eventually develop into cancer. Approximately 5-7 years of since people are infected with HPV to become precancerous and eventually into cervical cancer, "said Mark.
During this stage, it is possible the virus overcome the immune system, including cells that become abnormal without medical intervention. In fact, although the precancerous cells still survive, usually takes five years or more until eventually develop into cancer.
Dr Radhika Rible, a OBGYN from the University of California, Los Angeles, agreed that HPV is not something to worry about. "HPV is very commonly attacked by women, but most (body) women who are still young and healthy will eliminate the virus on its own without any consequences," he said.
"Very rarely (virus) develop into cancer. So, no need to worry about it. However, it is important to stick to the guide. Because if it is detected early, we can stop it, "said Radhika.
Two kinds of tests are tested on cervical cancer screening. For pap smear, the doctor will take cells from the uterus during vaginal examination and sent to the laboratory for examination, whether there are cells that are abnormal.
Another test that is not less popular with the pap smear is a HPV screening. The test is to check whether there is evidence of HPV infection. Free cervical cancer screening, as quoted by AP, has been updated today. Mark, who joined the group to discuss the rules of the screening panel, said more than 25 professional groups, led by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, agree on rules screening. Previous women are advised to be screened every year. However, referring to the new rules, women are encouraged to be screened sufficiently 3-5 years.
Treatment of HPV infection for young women can cause infertility problems later on. Regardless of the drive to vaccinate girls and boys against HPV, experts agree that most HPV infections will heal on its own. Infection was also unable to develop into cervical cancer over the past decade. So, they still have plenty of time for the screening and treatment in the future.
"Inadvertently screening tests can cause significant harm," wrote the experts from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
False positive results may lead to overdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and raises the potential for unnecessary diagnostic tests, procedures, treatments, and risk to the patient. Existing guidance now recommends that women aged under 21 years to no screening. Screening with Pap smear should ideally be done every 3 years for women aged 21-29 years. Meanwhile, women aged 30-65 years are encouraged to do pap smear three years and HPV test every 5 years. Screening for women aged 65 years and over only if they have a high risk of cancer or they do not undergo regular screening before age 65 years.
These guidelines only apply to healthy women. In addition to screening for prevention, the HPV vaccine was recommended to be done. Because sexual activity is the main street for HPV to transmit. The vaccine is recommended for women and men at the age of 11-12 years, before they are sexually active. The vaccine is also recommended for those aged 13-26 years, although they are already sexually active, and even if they are already infected with HPV.
"Although someone already infected with HPV, they may not have been exposed to the virus completely and still be handled by the vaccine," said Mark.
However, the vaccine does not necessarily replace screening. Screening still needs to be done according to the guidelines. Therefore, not all can be handled by the HPV virus vaccine.