HPV,WARN,COLPOSCOPY,SMEAR
Smear (Cervical Cancer Screening Test)
Smear is a cervical cancer screening test that should be done every 3 years in women who are over the age of 21 and who are sexually active.
What is the smear test (cervical cancer screening test)?
The smear test is an early warning test that detects existing cervical (cervical) cancer as well as showing any cellular changes in the cervix that could turn into cancer.
What causes cervical cancer (cervical cancer), what are the risk factors?
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Having the first sexual intercourse at an early age
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Women diagnosed with HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
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Women with multiple sexual partners or women whose partners are polygamous.
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autoimmune diseases
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HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection or any condition that weakens the immune system
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Smoking
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Multiple births.
How is the smear test done?
A speculum (examination instrument) is inserted into the vagina and a small brush is rubbed into the cervix, and cell samples are collected and sent to the pathology laboratory for diagnosis. These cells are examined under a microscope by the pathologist to see if there is any abnormal development.
When should I have a smear test?
For screening purposes, it is sufficient for the cervical smear intervals to be every 3 years between the ages of 21-29 after the start of sexual intercourse. Taking it more often does not increase the chance of protection against cervical cancer. Between the ages of 30-65, if Pap smear is done alone, once in 3 years, if it is done together with HPV test, it is enough to be screened every 5 years. Pap smear screening, along with HPV testing, is more sensitive to early diagnosis of cancer.
Genital Warts and Cancer-Causing HPV Types
There are more than 200 types of this virus detected in the skin and mucous membranes, and 40% of them are seen in the anogenital epithelium. They are classified as high risk (HR) and low risk (LR) for the development of cervical cancer according to their detection rates in cervical cancer samples.
Fifteen anogenital HPV types have been identified as high-risk: 16,18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52,56,58,59,68,73,82.
Low-risk HPV: 6.11 (types responsible for genital wart formation)
colposcopy
It is applied to women who have detected abnormalities in the smear or HPV test or have suspicious findings in the vaginal examination. With the help of a microscope, the cervix is examined in detail and a biopsy is taken from the suspicious areas during the procedure and sent to pathology. The procedure is not painful. It can be done under local anesthesia in the examination room.
When HPV 16 and 18 are detected in HPV screening performed in KETEM centers of the Ministry of Health, colposcopy must be performed on the patient. When HPV 16+ is detected, the risk of developing cervical cancer is approximately 450 times, and when HPV 18+ is detected, the risk of developing cervical cancer increases approximately 250 times. Therefore, colposcopic evaluation is necessary. Such patients should be followed up by experienced gynecologists for a long time.
Is HPV Passed From Mother to Baby?
The transmission of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection from mother to baby during pregnancy is a controversial issue. It is known that it can be transmitted from the mother infected with HPV to the baby during pregnancy and delivery.
The presence of HPV infection in the mother does not prevent pregnancy.
If there are not many and large warts filling the birth canal, normal delivery is possible.
How can I protect myself from cervical cancer?
Have smear scans done regularly.
Ask your doctor for information about the HPV vaccine.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS SAVE LIVES!
