PAP -Yolos myths that can risk you for cervical cancer

Spend your PAP? A big gnjo-not.

The time of cervical time in the United States has fallen in recent years – and this is a red flag. Cervical cancer often shows no signs until it has already spread, dramatically increasing the risk of death.

To get to the end of this trend about Axa Insurance Insurance surveyed women in the UK and discovered the best concepts for cervical appearances.

Testing the specifics

More than half of the wrongly surveyed women believed that Pap -smears tests for cancer.

In reality, the main purpose of the test is to detect abnormal cellular changes in the cervix – changes that, if caught early, can be treated before cancer develops.

These cell changes are often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that is usually cleaned on its own, but can lead to cell cancerous growth if it continues in the body.

frequent

Nearly 1 in 4 participants believe that cervical cancer manifestations are required every four years, but this is not the case.

Women between the ages of 25 and 49 should actually appear every three years – the period when cervical cancer is most likely to develop, according to Dr. Bradshaw, Deputy Chief of Medicine at Axa Health.

“Testing every three years allows your health care professional to detect and monitor any changes in cells in your cervix,” Bradshaw said. “As we grow old, our risk of developing cervical cancer decreases, so women between the ages of 50 to 64 are advised to participate in a cervical examination every five years.”

However, if you try positive HPV, don’t expect to wait so long for your next show. Bradshaw said you will probably be required to return for more frequent tests, often every year, to monitor any changes in your cells.

Initial age

About 1 in 3 women think you can ask to be examined before you are 25 years old. This is not true for most people.

Cervical cancer is very rare in women under 25, which is why routine examination is usually considered unnecessary.

Changes in cervical cells are also common in this age group and are usually selected on their own. As a result, experts warn that early examination can lead to unnecessary accompanying tests and treatments that may not be useful and may even cause side effects.

However, doctors may recommend early examination for some women, such as those with a weakened immune system, high -risk sexual behavior or abnormal symptoms such as pelvic pain.

Length

Axa found that about 15% of women believe PAP Smears take on average 30 minutes. Fortunately, this is not the case.

“Cervical appearances are quick procedures, with the test often taking just a few minutes to complete,” Bradshaw said.

Pain

Researchers found that the most common reason to avoid a PAP stain is to worry about pain or discomfort – but is usually not as painful as they believe.

“Cervical appearances should be painless procedures, with only a little felt discomfort when speculation comes in,” Bradshaw said.

Most women only feel discomfort when speculation extends the vaginal walls. If you feel any pain, Bradshaw recommends that your doctor know immediately.

Sexual activity

While 35% of survey participants correctly identified HPV as a sexually transmitted infection, 7% mistakenly assumed that if you are not sexually active, you do not need a review.

Bradshaw speculated that this wrong concept can stem from the fact that HPV often spreads through penetrating sex.

“However, HPV can be passed through non-deficiency sex, skin contact on the skin with genitals, through objects or surfaces that the virus is present in and from a mother to child,” she said. “Therefore, it is important that all women regularly participate in cervical appearances.”

In the United States

Formerly a major cause of cancer death for American women, cervical cancer level has fallen by more than 50% since the mid -1970s, mainly thanks to the HPV vaccine and review, according to the American Association of Cancer (ACS).

Today, cervical cancer is very treatable if detected early – but the challenge is that the disease often shows no symptoms until it has already progressed. This makes it important to stay at the top of your gynecologist visits, however research shows that the number of women who stay updated in their shows is declining.

A 2022 study found that between 2005 and 2019, the percentage of late women for cervical appearances increased from 14% to 19%. The main reasons? Lack of awareness of the need for show or simply not knowing when you get them.

ACS estimates that in 2025, there will be about 13,360 new cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in the US, and 4,320 women will die from the disease.