The Importance of Pap Smears in Cervical Cancer Prevention

Early cervical cancer has no obvious symptoms or pain and is difficult to detect. It can only be detected by Pap smear. China has been promoting regular Pap smear screening for many years, with good results, but there are some myths that need to be changed!

Since cervical cancer is a chronic and progressive disease with an incubation period of 10 to 20 years, even if you are not sexually active or have stopped menstruating, you still need to have regular Pap smears.

The Benefits of Regular Pap Smears

According to cancer registration data, the standardized incidence rate of cervical cancer has fallen from 25 per 100,000 in 1984 to 7 cases per 100,000 people, and the number of cases has fallen from 2,136 to 1,310, a decline of more than 70%.

Wu Zhaojun, director of the National Health Service, said that cervical cancer has dropped from first to eleventh place in the ranking of female cancer incidence rates in the country. The results are remarkable, and eligible women are reminded to undergo at least one anti-cancer treatment every 3 years. A Pap test.

A Real-Life Example of the Importance of Pap Smears

A domestic obstetrics and gynecology department once treated a 32-year-old woman who underwent post-marital and pre-pregnancy examinations, at the doctor’s suggestion. The result was that precancerous lesions were found like a bolt from the blue. After the doctor patiently explained, after undergoing cervical cone resection of local diseased tissue in the outpatient clinic, all that is needed is regular swab control.

Wu Zhaojun said that this case reminds women to regularly undergo cervical swab examinations and not to avoid examinations because they are afraid of abnormal swab results. If precancerous lesions develop into cancer before treatment, it may be necessary to remove the uterus or undergo chemotherapy or electrotherapy.

The Importance of Early Detection

According to the analysis of the National Health Service tumor registration data, the 5-year survival rate of cervical cancer cases in stages 0 to 1 can reach over 90%, while the 5-year survival rate of stage 2 cases is still exceeded. If it is detected, the 5-year survival rate is only 20%, which shows the importance of early screening.

The National Health Service emphasizes that if women have abnormal results in cervical cancer screening, they should go to a medical institution for further examination and follow the doctor’s instructions for follow-up and treatment.