Why is cervical cancer screening important?
Cervical cancer usually develops during long years, therefore, if the mutations leading to cancer can be identified in time, the disease can be prevented. The screening consists of a minimal intervention, it can be done easily, and it is not painful.
At our clinic, we follow the newest commendations, therefore, apart from cytology (which shows abnormal mutations of the cells) we also do HPV screening for patients between the age of 24 and 65, which virus could also cause cervical cancer.
The sample taken during the examination is sent to one of the leading laboratories in the country, where a new tumor progression examination based on biomarkers is available. It is called CINTEC PLUS, and it can show whether the mutations leading to cancer have already begun in the cells. This is always done if the cytology is positive or the patient has high risk HPV.
Why is HPV screening important?
By this time, it is obvious that cervical cancer is almost exclusively caused by high risk HPV. Thus, it is very important to not just look for the mutations that are caused, but look for the reason as well. This is also important because the usual cervical cancer screening (cytology) is only accurate in 70% of cases, which might lead to false negative results. If used together with the HPV screening, it results in almost 100% accuracy. It can also be the case that cytology is negative yet, while the high risk HPV triggers the mutations in the cells. The CINTEC PLUS examination, which is based on biomarkers, can identify such cases.
Why is cytology also done?
With HPV screening, we examine the reason, while with the smear test we examine the developed mutations. Cytology can help identify mutations that need further examination or intervention.
What is the advantage of the double method over the conventional cervical cancer screening?
- Provides more accuracy
- Identifies cases when the cytology is negative yet, but the existing HPV causes high risk
- HPV can be identified from the sample taken from the cervix, there is no chance of error
- Additional biomarker examination can not only show the presence of high risk HPV, but also the stage at which the mutation is being cancerous. This makes it possible to determine the next steps.
- Cytology, HPV screening and if necessary, the biomarker examination gives a much more accurate result, meaning a bigger chance to identify and treat mutations.
Think about prevention, and book an appointment for cervical cancer screening!
