Let’s be honest — most women don’t see a gynecologist every year. Not because they don’t care, but because they feel good, nothing seems wrong, and it’s easy to put it off for later.
The problem is that cervical cancer develops in exactly this way — quietly.
Across Europe, thousands of women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, and many still lose their lives to a disease that is largely preventable.
Most importantly, a significant number of these cases could be prevented if precancerous changes were detected in time through regular screening.
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, so we’d like to share trusted, doctor-reviewed information about cervical cancer and how it can be prevented.
The most common reasons women don’t attend cervical screening:
- “I’m afraid I’ll get ‘bad’ results.”
- “I feel healthy, so I don’t think I need screening.”
- “I didn’t receive an invitation or reminder.”
- “I don’t have time for unnecessary appointments.”
- “It will hurt.”
These concerns are very real — but they often come from uncertainty or missing information.
Cervical cancer is a disease that can often be prevented. It develops slowly and silently, usually with no symptoms for a long time — often over 10–20 years.
The first symptoms — such as unusual bleeding, changes in vaginal discharge, pain during sex, or pelvic pain — usually appear in the later stages.
That means there is time to notice early changes and stop the process while it’s still at the precancerous stage.
What causes cervical cancer?
The main risk factor for cervical cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV).
It’s important to understand:
- Most people will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lifetime
- Not everyone who gets HPV will develop health problems
- Cervical cancer can develop when a high-risk HPV infection persists in the body over time
When it comes to HPV and cervical cancer prevention, many misconceptions still exist — and they often stand in the way of understanding real risks and effective prevention.
Myth or fact?
Myth: “Condoms don’t protect you from anything.”
Fact. Condoms significantly reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections — especially those spread through bodily fluids, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.
They don’t fully protect against infections spread through skin-to-skin contact (like HPV), but they do lower the risk. That’s why condoms are an important prevention tool — just not the only one.
Myth: “If I’m not having sex, HPV isn’t something I need to worry about.”
Fact. HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Penetrative sex isn’t required for transmission.
Someone can also carry HPV without any symptoms and not know it.
Myth: “HPV can be cured.”
Fact. There is currently no treatment that eliminates HPV from the body.
Healthcare professionals treat the changes caused by the virus, not the virus itself. That’s why prevention and regular screening are essential.
Myth: “If I’m vaccinated, I don’t need screening.”
Fact. Even if you’re vaccinated, regular cervical screening is still recommended.
The HPV vaccine doesn’t protect against all HPV types, which is why screening remains a key part of prevention.
Myth: “The more often I get screened, the better.”
Fact. Research shows that screening more often than recommended doesn’t improve outcomes. Cervical cancer develops slowly — usually over 10–20 years. What matters most is following national, evidence-based screening guidelines.
Myth: “HPV is only a women’s issue.”
Fact. HPV is common in men as well. Many men have no symptoms but can still carry and transmit the virus. HPV can cause cancers in men — including cancers of the throat, anus, and penis. Because there is no routine HPV screening for men in most European countries, vaccination and safer sex practices are especially important.
Risk factors for cervical cancer
- infection with multiple types of high-risk HPV
- smoking (it weakens the local immune response in the cervix)
- long-term use of hormonal contraception in women with HPV infection (over 5 years)
- immunodeficiency conditions (such as HIV)
- having multiple births (more than 3), or giving birth for the first time at a young age
- poor nutrition or excess weight
What screening can detect
Cervical screening tests (Pap smear and/or HPV test) can help detect:
- precancerous changes,
- high-risk HPV — persistent high-risk HPV infection is the most common risk factor for cervical cancer.
Screening recommendations and access vary by country across Europe, but most countries offer screening through national programs or public healthcare systems.
How is a cervical screening performed?
A cervical screening is not painful. For some women, it may feel uncomfortable, but the procedure is quick and safe.
The test is done while you’re lying on a gynecological exam chair. A speculum is gently inserted into the vagina so the cervix can be seen. Then a small brush is used to collect a sample from the surface of the cervix and cervical canal.
The sample collection usually takes up to one minute and is generally well tolerated.
How to prepare for a cervical screening
To ensure the most accurate results, it’s recommended to:
- schedule the test when you’re not on your period,
- avoid sex for 48 hours before the test,
- don’t use tampons, vaginal suppositories, or creams,
- don’t douche or rinse inside the vagina (washing the vulva is fine).
Cervical cancer prevention that works
The risk of cervical cancer can be reduced by:
- regular participation in cervical screening,
- HPV vaccination (it does not replace screening),
- quitting smoking,
- using barrier contraception (it lowers the risk, but doesn’t eliminate it completely).
Why vaccinate boys, too?
HPV isn’t dangerous only for women. In men, high-risk HPV can cause precancerous changes and cancers of the throat, anus, and penis. Low-risk HPV can cause warts.
For vaccination to be effective at a population level, 80–90% of the target group needs to be vaccinated. This creates herd immunity and helps protect those who aren’t vaccinated.
If screening hasn’t been a priority yet, that’s something many women relate to.
But cervical cancer can develop quietly over a long period of time, without symptoms. Screening is designed to detect changes early — when they can be treated successfully.
It’s one of the few cancers that can often be prevented through regular screening, even when you feel healthy.
Get checked for yourself.
And remind the women you care about.
When was the last time you had a cervical screening?
The information in this article is based on publicly available recommendations from gimdoskaklelis.lt and nvi.lt. The content was reviewed by obstetrician-gynecologist Prof. Dr. Kristina Jariene.