Scrape test can help high-risk groups screen for cervical cancer

Cervical smear cytology was proposed by an American in 1943. At present, cervical smear is widely used all over the world and has become the simplest, most economical and most effective diagnostic method for screening cervical cancer.

The process of cervical smear is very simple. It is to use a scraper to scrape a small amount of mucosa and secretions at the cervical opening, evenly apply it on a glass slide, fix the cells and stain them, so that the presence of cancer cells can be observed under a microscope. The whole process usually takes only 5 to 6 minutes to complete. Cervical smear examination can not only detect cervical cancer, but also precancerous lesions of the cervix.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all sexually active women over the age of 18 should undergo a cervical smear cytology test once a year. As a free screening program in my country, cervical smears are recommended to be checked once a year for women who have had sexual intercourse for more than three years or over the age of 21. Women over the age of 40 who are at high risk of cervical cancer, such as those who have had sexual intercourse too early, have multiple sexual partners, marry early, have multiple children, or have had a viral infection of the cervix, need to undergo cervical cancer screening every year.

In addition, if abnormal cervical cell proliferation (precancerous lesions) is found during the cervical smear examination, a cervical smear examination should be performed every 3 to 6 months based on the risk assessment to determine whether the cervical cells have become cancerous. If the cervical cell examination is normal, but there is bacterial, fungal, viral infection or cervical erosion in the cervix, it is recommended to review the cervical smear in time after the inflammation and lesions are treated to determine whether there is a risk of cancer.