• Reduced the number of people who die from cervical cancer
• Completely cured people of cervical cancer and
• Reduced the number of people who develop cervical cancer

Common signs to look out for include:

After the cervical cell sample is collected, cervical cancer screening can be done in three main ways:

• HPV test

A human papillomavirus (HPV) test will check the cells for any infections with high-risk HPV types that can lead to cervical cancer.

• A Pap Smear test

A Pap smear, pap test or cervical cytology test collects the cells in the cervix to be tested and checked for any changes that could be caused by HPV. If this is left untreated, there is a high chance it could turn into cervical cancer. Apart from finding cervical cancer cells, a pap smear test can also find precancerous cells. A pap smear test can also find other conditions such as infection or inflammation.

• HPV and Pap co-test

A combination of HPV and pap smear tests is done together to check for both cervical cell changes and high-risk HPV.

• Early detection of cell changes in the cervix even before symptoms appear
• Should these changes imply precancerous or developing cancer cells, treatment can be done as soon as possible
• Early stage cancer is easier to treat compared to large invasive cancer that may have already spread outside of the cervix

If test results remain normal, your healthcare provider will advise you on when you should get tested again. In most cases, if your results are normal, the chances of getting cervical cancer is deemed low.

However, if test results reveal any abnormalities, the doctor will advise you on the next course of action. Abnormal test results do not necessarily mean cancerous cells are present.

Should the test result reveal precancerous or cancer cells, you will be advised to get further testing done or get treatment. Getting treatment as early as possible will prevent cervical cancer from developing or further developing.