Cervical Cancer Screenings With Our Gynaecologist in Marbella
22/06/2019Cervical screenings are vital to check the health of your cervix - the opening to your womb from your vagina. The screening does not test for cancerous cells, but it can help to prevent cancer by highlighting any abnormalities. You should make sure you have a cervical cancer screening as often as possible, so you need to make sure you have a gynaecologist in Marbella to carry out your checks.
Who Needs a Cervical Cancer Screening?
Our gynaecologist in Marbella recommends that all women between 25 to 64 with a cervix should be screened.
What Happens During a Screening?
During your cervical cancer screening, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix. The sample will then be tested for any changes to the cells of your cervix. Any abnormalities will be flagged and can then be monitored by more regular appointments with your gynaecologist in Marbella.
Finding and identifying any abnormal changes early means they can be monitored or treated correctly. As a result, cervical cancer screenings help reduce the risk of cancer developing from these abnormalities.
What Specifically Will a Cervical Screening Check For?
- Abnormal cell changes in your cervix.
- Existence of HPV.
What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name for a widespread group of viruses which can cause changes to the cells in your cervix which may develop into cancer if left untreated.
You can get the virus from any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, not just from penetrative sex.
It's such a common virus that most people will get some type of HPV during their lives. However, finding the cell changes early enough can prevent them from worsening.
Who's at Risk of Cervical Cancer
If you have a cervix and have been sexually active, you could get cervical cancer.
You're still at risk of cervical cancer if:
- you've had the HPV vaccine as it does not protect you from all types of HPV
- you've only had one sexual partner
- you had the same partner, or had not sex, for a long time
- you're a lesbian or bisexual
- you're a trans man with a cervix
- You had a partial hysterectomy that did not remove all of your cervix.
Cervical Screening is a Choice
Although our gynaecologist highly recommends cervical screenings in Marbella, it's your choice if you want to go for cervical screening. But remember, cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
Risks of Cervical Screening
After your appointment, you may experience some light bleeding or spotting, but this should stop within a few hours.
If abnormal cells are found as a result of your screening, and you need treatment, there are some risks, such as:
- treating cells that may have gone back to normal on their own
- bleeding or an infection
- you may be more likely to have a baby early if you get pregnant in the future - but this is rare.
To arrange your cervical cancer screening with our highly-experienced gynaecologist in Marbella, get in touch, You can also visit our website for more information.