"Determining whether to perform a colposcopy is based on several factors, including your dysplasia history, your most recent pap test and HPV status," says Dr. Newtson. In addition to getting regular Pap tests, one of the other most important steps you can take to prevent cervical cancer is getting the Gardasil vaccine if you are eligible, says
A Pap smear tests the cells of the cervix. Almost all abnormal Pap smear results are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV infections can lead to precancerous changes of the cervix. And many of these infections and changes clear on their own. But other times, cervical cells go through changes that begin to look more like cancer.
Background Persistent infections with high risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) cause virtually all cervical cancers. Methods An observational study was conducted aiming to estimate the rate of HPV infection persistence after LEEP in patients with high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Moreover, the study investigated if persistence is age related. For this reason a total of 110HPV testing identifies the genetic material of the human papillomavirus virus, which can cause cervical cancer, while Pap identifies cellular changes on the cervix that may be or become cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening in women 30-65 years of age every three years with Pap, every five years
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