Preventing cervical cancer

Cervical screening Back to top

Cervical screening is a way of detecting early changes to cells in the cervix (called cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia| or CIN) so that treatment can be given to prevent a cancer developing. Cervical screening involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix. These days, the main method of collecting the cervical cells is known as liquid-based cytology|. It’s used routinely as part of the UK cervical screening programme| for women with no symptoms.  

Although the aim of cervical screening is to prevent cancer, it can also sometimes detect a cancer that has already developed, before any symptoms| occur.  

 

How is the screening test carried out?

In the UK, liquid-based cytology (LBC) is now the most commonly used method of collecting cells from the cervix. When you have the test you will be asked to lie on a couch. The doctor or nurse will gently put an instrument called a speculum into your vagina to keep it open. A special brush will be used to gently take cells from the cervix. The head of the brush is then rinsed into a small container of preservative or snapped off and put into the container. The container will be sent to the laboratory, where the cells are put onto a glass slide and examined under a microscope.

The smear test

You may have heard the term smear test or Pap smear. This method was used before liquid-based cytology was developed. The sample is taken in a similar way to LBC, but the cells are spread onto a glass slide instead of being preserved in liquid. As cervical cells are preserved better with liquid-based cytology, the need for a repeat test is less is likely than with a conventional smear test.

 

Cervical cancer vaccines Back to top

Two vaccines, Gardasil® and Cervarix®, are now available in the UK to help prevent cervical cancer. They work by preventing infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). Both vaccines have been shown to protect against HPV 16 and 18 (the types of HPV most commonly linked with cervical cancer). It is hoped they will prevent at least 7 in 10 (70%) of the most common type of cervical cancer (squamous cell| ).

These vaccines work best if they are given to children before puberty and before they start having sex. For this reason all 12–13 year-old girls in the UK are now routinely offered an HPV vaccination. A two-year catch-up programme is also being carried out for girls up to the age of 18. These vaccines can also be obtained privately.

At present the vaccines that have been developed to prevent cervical cancer are of no help in treating the condition. The vaccines are not a substitute for cervical screening. It is very important that women continue to go for regular cervical smears even if they have had the HPV vaccine.