Cervical cancer: When should I start with screening examinations?
September 24, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Christine Widmann
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Adele Fritsche and I have a question regarding cervical cancer and preventive screenings. I am 25 years old and I have heard that it is important to regularly attend preventive screenings to detect cervical cancer early.
I have never had a preventive screening in this regard before, as I thought I should only start at a more advanced age. However, I have now heard that it is also important for younger women to be regularly examined. I am worried that I might already be too late and whether I already have an increased risk of cervical cancer.
Could you please tell me when I should start with the preventive screening? Are there specific age limits or risk factors that I should consider? How often should I be examined and what tests are necessary for this? Are there also self-examination methods that I can perform at home?
I would greatly appreciate your response and I thank you in advance for your help and information.
Kind regards,
Adele Fritsche
Dear Adele Fritsche,
I thank you for your question regarding cervical cancer and preventive examinations. It is very important to inform oneself early on about these topics and to undergo regular preventive examinations in order to detect and treat possible illnesses early on.
Indeed, young women like yourself should start with preventive examinations at a young age. However, recommendations may vary depending on the country and medical practices. In Germany, it is usually recommended for women to start regular preventive examinations from the age of 20.
There are certain risk factors that can increase the risk of cervical cancer. These include, for example, an HPV infection, smoking, a weakened immune system, or a family history of the disease. If you do not have any of these risk factors, your risk of cervical cancer at a young age is rather low.
The usual preventive examination includes a Pap test, where a cell sample is taken from the cervix and examined for any changes. This test is painless and can detect early signs of cell abnormalities that could indicate a possible cancer.
It is recommended to have the Pap test done every 1-3 years, depending on age, risk factors, and individual health condition. In some cases, an additional HPV test may also be useful to assess the risk of cervical cancer more accurately.
Unfortunately, there are no self-examination methods for cervical cancer that can be done at home. Therefore, it is important to regularly attend preventive examinations and have a gynecologist examine you.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or are unsure, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a gynecologist near you. Your health is important, and it is never too early to take care of it.
Best regards,
Christine Widmann
