Importance Of Cervical Cancer Screening

Human-papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been proposed as an alternative to primary cervical cancer screening using cytological testing. Review of the evidence shows that available data are conflicting for

Cervical cancer is when there are malignant cells present in the cervix; it is developed in the lining of the cervix. A cervix is a narrow opening located at the bottom of the uterus that leads into the vagina. Cervical cancer mostly affects women between the ages of 40 and 55. This cancer can be prevented by screening for precancerous cells, and it can also be cured if it is detected at an early stage. Over the past few decades the number of cervical cancer cases has declined dramatically due to a more widespread screening of the disease. Today, it is estimated that 10,000 new

However even though there are many problem with the Pap smear, the most important error is failure of women to get a Pap smear (Dziura, 2009). As it is harder to monitor any changes in the cervical cancer if you don’t turn up for regular

For most women, a Pap smear is not a pleasant procedure. However, recent guidelines have changed and the once dreaded yearly exam is no longer required.In fact, if you are between the ages of thirty to sixty-five you can now wait every three to five years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Human papillomavirus (HPV) infects roughly 20 million individuals in the United States with 6.1 million new cases each year. There is no cure for HPV, only treatment for associated health problems. There are more than 30 strains of HPV that affect more than half of sexually active individuals in their lifetime. Public health risks involve several types of HPV leading to precancerous lesions and causing 70% of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer, affects many women globally. In the United States, nearly 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually and 3,700 of those women die. It has been reported by American Cancer Society that with early

With each new screening testing procedure comes the social, ethical and scientific implication of the screening process. The social aspect of the screening is the risk of being stigmatized, for example it was believed that if you go to the hospital to get a pap smear you are sexually promiscuous. However, pap smear is a screening testing for cervical cancer, it is used to analysis the existence of precancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix. It is an uncomplicated, brief and necessary screening test recommended for every woman after the age of 21 or is sexually active. Pap smear is screening procedure for cancer which satisfy the social, ethical and scientific aspects of screening. Although

Screening programs utilize diagnostic tests on individuals who are asymptomatic of certain diseases and the intent of diagnostic tests are used to establish the probability of having a certain disease (New York State, Department of Health (n.d.). As a provider, the fundamental intention of screenings is to reduce morbidity and mortality; however, providers must also understand the potential affect on individuals if results reveal false-positives and false-negatives (Gates, 2001). Therefore, diagnostic accuracy is critical and making sure quality of screenings is important in that the tests are sensitive enough to detect disease during the period in individual who do not have symptoms of a particular disease and specific enough to lessen the incidence of false positives (Gates, 2014). Screening the female population with Pap (Papanicolaou) smears for cervical cancer is considered a sensitive test (Lalkhen & McCluskey, 2008).

Currently, cervical cancer is highly preventable. Nine out of ten women survive cervical cancer when it is caught and treated early (Texas Cancer). While annual pap smear is an important tool to detect cervical cancer, HPV vaccination in teenagers has been shown to decrease the rates of cervical cancer (Texas Cancer). As the current rate of HPV vaccination remains low, there is pressing need for an innovative solution to increase HPV vaccination among teenagers, especially those in high-risk groups such as Hispanics and African Americans.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) and can affect many sexually active individuals throughout their lifetimes and is spread through anal, oral and vaginal sex (CDC, 2016). HPV currently affects 79 million Americans with 14 million new cases of infection every year and is so pervasive most sexually-active individuals will encounter some form of the virus during their lives (CDC, 2016). HPV can be troublesome to detect as symptoms can develop years after initial infection or may not be seen at all, but in many cases HPV does not cause lasting health problems (CDC, 2016).

HPV screening is accomplished by way of cervical cancer screening. In 2014, the fda approved the first hpv test for primary screening in females ages 25 to 65, however, current national guidelines are for the use of hpv testing to detect oncogenic serotypes, in the presence of an abnormal Pap test CITE 6 3. The current screening recommendations of the American Cancer Society, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists as well as the U.S. Preventative Task force do not recommend cervical cancer screening for women under the age of 21. Between the ages of 21 and 29, the recommendation is for screening with a

Cervical cancer is one of the highly popular disease for the women. Different programmes has been made up to fight against this deadly disease. New Zealand has one of the best screening programmes in the world. The establishment of National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme in NZ in 1990 had reduced a significant number of 60% of women who develop cervical cancer and who die from it since it was built. More than 1 million New Zealander women are enrolled in this programme and 95 % are eligible. The Cervical Cancer screening programme aims to; informing women about the importance of having the cervical screening tests; promoting cervical screening tests on a regular basis to women aged 20–70; ensuring high-quality and culturally appropriate services; supporting women with abnormal tests; ensuring there is regular monitoring to see that the goals of the programme are being met. The NCSP also acknowledges the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi in providing a screening programme that is successful for all New Zealand women.

The two main issues that affect the delivery of healthcare related to prevention and early detection of cervical cancer are finance and the lack of awareness. Financial issues play a major role in whether or not women are screened or vaccinated for cervical cancer. The ACS (2010) reported that uninsured women are less likely to acquire screenings or vaccines. However, many states tried to solve the financial problem by ensuring that private insurance companies, Medicaid, and public employee health plans will provide coverage and reimbursement for Pap smear screening tests. The ACS supported such coverage assurances because they removed financial barriers for women who have health insurance, but whose insurance plans previously did not cover Pap smears (ACS, 2010). The lack of awareness about cervical cancer is another contributing factor besides financial concerns. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), women with low

• Women with genital warts should have a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer at least once a year. This type of cancer is slow growing and can be cured if found early. Chances of developing cervical cancer are increased with HPV.

If you have a Pap test taken they can usually find the cervical cancer early. Cervical cancer may spread if not treated early. It could spread from the cervix to the vagina, and then into deeper tissue layers of connective tissue around the uterus. Then if it spreads further it would go to the pelvic lymph nodes and other pelvic organs. This could cause problems with the kidney and bowel functions and

The reason for choosing this topic is because, as a nurse practitioner, it is my obligation to play a role in preventing, educating and treating my patients on some of the ways sexually transmitted infections (STI) can be prevented or managed as the case may be. Creating the awareness and educating my patients on the need for routine pap smear. This will help to catch any developing HPV infection in time and start treatment without any delay.