Cervical Cancer: What We Can Do to Prevent It

Let’s be honest—most women don’t see a gynecologist every year. Not because they don’t care, but because they feel healthy, nothing seems wrong, and it is easy to postpone the appointment.

The problem is that cervical cancer often develops silently.

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.

Many of these cases could be prevented if precancerous changes were detected early through regular cervical screening.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn how cervical cancer develops, what causes it, and how regular screening can help prevent it.

Why Do Many Women Skip Cervical Screening?

Common reasons include:

• "I'm afraid I'll get bad results."
• "I feel healthy, so I don't think I need screening."
• "I never received an invitation or reminder."
• "I don't have time for another appointment."
• "I'm worried it will hurt."

These concerns are understandable, but they are often based on uncertainty or misinformation.

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over 10 to 20 years and often causes no symptoms in its early stages.

Symptoms such as unusual bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain during sex usually appear only after the disease has progressed.

Regular screening helps detect precancerous changes long before symptoms appear.

What Causes Cervical Cancer?

The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV).

It is important to know that:

• Most people will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives.
• Most HPV infections clear naturally without causing health problems.
• Cervical cancer may develop when a high-risk HPV infection persists for many years.

Many myths still surround HPV, making it harder for people to understand how cervical cancer can be prevented.

HPV Myths and Facts

Myth: Condoms Don't Protect Against HPV

Fact: Condoms significantly reduce the risk of many sexually transmitted infections. Although they cannot completely prevent HPV because it spreads through skin-to-skin contact, they still lower the risk of transmission.

Myth: If I'm Not Having Sex, HPV Doesn't Matter

Fact: HPV can spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, and many people carry the virus without knowing it because they have no symptoms.

Myth: HPV Can Be Cured

Fact: There is currently no treatment that removes HPV from the body. Healthcare professionals treat the abnormal cell changes caused by the virus rather than the virus itself.

Myth: HPV Vaccination Means Screening Is No Longer Needed

Fact: HPV vaccination protects against many high-risk HPV types, but not all of them. Regular cervical screening remains essential.

Myth: More Frequent Screening Is Better

Fact: Following national evidence-based screening recommendations provides the greatest benefit. Screening more often than recommended does not improve outcomes.

Myth: HPV Only Affects Women

Fact: HPV also affects men and may contribute to cancers of the throat, anus, and penis. Because routine HPV screening is generally unavailable for men, vaccination and safer sex practices remain important.

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

• Persistent infection with multiple high-risk HPV types.
• Smoking.
• Long-term hormonal contraceptive use in women with HPV infection.
• Conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV.
• Multiple pregnancies or giving birth at a young age.
• Poor nutrition or excess body weight.

What Can Cervical Screening Detect?

Cervical screening, including a Pap smear and HPV testing, can detect:

• Precancerous cervical changes.
• Persistent high-risk HPV infection.

Screening recommendations vary between European countries, but most national healthcare systems offer regular cervical screening.

How Is Cervical Screening Performed?

Cervical screening is usually quick and should not be painful, although some women experience mild discomfort.

During the examination, a speculum is gently inserted into the vagina so the cervix can be seen. A small soft brush is then used to collect cells from the cervix. The procedure typically takes less than one minute.

How to Prepare for a Cervical Screening Test

• Schedule your appointment when you are not menstruating.
• Avoid sexual intercourse for 48 hours before the test.
• Do not use tampons, vaginal creams, or suppositories beforehand.
• Avoid vaginal douching. Washing the external genital area is sufficient.

How to Help Prevent Cervical Cancer

• Attend regular cervical screening appointments.
• Get vaccinated against HPV.
• Stop smoking.
• Use barrier contraception to reduce HPV transmission risk.

Why Should Boys Receive the HPV Vaccine?

HPV affects both women and men. In men, high-risk HPV may lead to cancers of the throat, anus, and penis, while low-risk HPV may cause genital warts.

Vaccinating approximately 80–90% of the target population creates herd immunity and helps protect the wider community.

The Bottom Line

If cervical screening has not been a priority, you are not alone. However, cervical cancer often develops silently over many years without noticeable symptoms.

Regular screening can detect abnormal changes before cancer develops, making cervical cancer one of the most preventable cancers.

Book your cervical screening appointment, and encourage the women you care about to do the same.

When was your last cervical screening?

This article is based on publicly available recommendations from gimdoskaklelis.lt and nvi.lt and was medically reviewed by obstetrician-gynecologist Prof. Dr. Kristina Jarienė.