• What is cervical cancer?
• How common is cervical cancer?
• How is cervical cancer detected?
• Can cervical cancer be treated?
• What can I do to decrease my chances of getting cervical cancer?

Pap screening is the best way to decrease your chances of getting cervical cancer. If detected early, before they have the chance to spread, cervical precancers (and even some cancers) can be treated successfully. In the United States between 60% and 80% of women who are newly diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer had not had a Pap test within the 5 years before being diagnosed, and many had never had one at all.

So, be sure to follow your healthcare professional's recommendation about Pap tests, which help detect suspicious cell changes in the cervix before they turn into cancer. You can also learn from your healthcare professional about other ways to decrease your chances of getting cervical cancer.

In Malaysia, all women who are, or who have been sexually active between the ages of 20 and 65 years are recommended to undergo Pap smear testing. If the first 2 consecutive Pap results are negative, screening every 3 years is recommended. (Source: Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Management of Cervical Cancer (April 2003); Ministry of Health Malaysia; Academy of Medicine )29 Cervical cancer is life threatening, but you have the power to reduce your risk of getting it. Learn about the connection between cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), genital warts, abnormal cervical cells, and other consequences in the other sections of this site. Talk to your healthcare professional for even more information.