Cervical Screening among young women is encouraged to help detect and curb cervical cancer at its early stages by administering treatment.
Cervical cancer is a major public health threat in Kenya as the most common cancer among women. As much as screening is an effective way to prevent it, few women especially of younger age get screened.
BMC Public Health. 2018; 18(Suppl 3) report indicates that little information is known about the predictors of cervical cancer screening uptake. The study focused on the relationship between the uptake of cervical cancer screening, and socio-demographic, behavioural and biological risk factors.
Cervical Cancer is caused by cell abnormalities in the lining of the cervix, often triggered by the Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is estimated as the fourth highest cause of cancer in women.
According to the WHO, the fatality rate among women affected by cervical cancer in Kenya is 67%. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Kenya.
Young women are encouraged to get Cervical Screening often, through Visual Inspection with Acetic acid and Visual Inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VIA/VILI) or pap smear to detect cancerous abnormal cells and administer early treatment.
Most women get an HPV infection shortly after they start having sex, and this infection is the cause of almost all cases of cervical cancer.
Cervical Screening is not a test for cancer but can detect abnormal cells that could lead to serious problems like cervical cancer.
Cancer symptoms may not be experienced beforehand until the condition is at an advanced stage.
Abnormal cells are not usually cancerous, especially if you have regular screenings.
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However, if abnormal cells are noticed at a screening they can be closely observed and treated to prevent cancer from developing.
“Regular screening has been proven to reduce the risk of advanced cancer by 90% on average for women aged 35-64.” Marie Stopes noted in a statement.
What to expect at your appointment
The procedure is generally quick and painless, and may just be momentarily uncomfortable.
The practitioner will asks the patient to lie on a couch. They will gently insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina to view the Cervix.
A small brush is used to take a sample. This picks up cells from inside the opening of the cervix. The test only takes a couple of minutes.
One can use the appointment to ask questions on any health concerns further to the cervical screening.
Receiving your results
Marie Stopes make contact with the patient within 2 weeks of the procedure, to receive the results described as either:
Normal/negative
Unclear/insufficient/inadequate – meaning that the cells could not be viewed and we will need to take another sample in 3 months
Abnormal/irregular – meaning that changes have been observed, either mild, moderate, or severe
Irregular or abnormal Results
Marie Stopes advise that patients with these results should not panic explaining that changes in the cells of the cervix usually happen very slowly and may be cleared by the body’s immune system.
“Slight abnormalities are very common in women under 25. Abnormal cells are not cancerous but could be an early warning sign that we need to keep an eye on,”
“We’ll send a full explanation of what the test results show and advise you on what to do next.
“If your results show cell changes we may recommend that you have another smear test after some time, or suggest you make an appointment for further investigation. Further investigation, such as a colposcopy, depends on the type of abnormality seen.” The statement noted.
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It’s always better to catch it in the early stages, so remember to get screened regularly.
