Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from developing cervical cancer.
In Ireland, the cervical screening programme is free and voluntary. It is your choice if you wish to partake.
Regular cervical screening saves lives.
It can find:
- human papillomavirus (HPV) before it causes abnormal cells in the cervix
- abnormal cell changes before symptoms develop
- abnormal cell changes when they are easier to treat
HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. Finding HPV and abnormal cells early is the best way to prevent cervical cancer developing. This is why having regular screening tests is important.
Ireland is fortunate to have a world class screening programme.
What is HPV
HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses. You can get it from any kind of physical or sexual contact of the genital area – even if you use a condom.
Sexual contact includes:
- any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
- vaginal, oral or anal sex
- sharing sex toys
There are over 200 different types of HPV. Most people will get some type of HPV during their lives. For most people, the virus goes away on its own and does not cause any harm. Your body’s immune system can clear it in 1 to 2 years.
HPV and cervical cancer
Some types of HPV are a high risk for causing cervical cancer.
Cervical screening looks to see if you have any of the most high-risk types of HPV.
Other types of HPV can cause genital warts. These are called low-risk types. Low-risk types do not cause cancer.
Almost all (99%) of cervical cancers are caused by infection with high-risk types of HPV.
But most people who have HPV, even the types that cause changes to the cells of the cervix, do not develop cervical cancer.
HPV can be dormant (sleeping) in your body
There are usually no symptoms of HPV. You could have a HPV infection and not know it.
This makes it difficult to tell when you got the HPV infection.
For some people, HPV can stay dormant (sleeping inside the body) for years. It can then become active over time.
Dormant HPV will not be picked up on a screening test and will not cause you problems.
If it becomes active again, it will show up on your next screening test. It can only cause you harm if it stays positive for a long time (usually over 2 years).
That is why everyone with a positive HPV result has another test done 12 months later.
In most cases, it takes 15 to 20 years for persistent HPV to lead to abnormal cells and develop into cervical cancer.
This is why it is safe to wait up to 5 years between cervical screening tests.
Having a positive HPV result does not mean your partner has had sex with someone else.
There is no need for your sexual partner to have a test done, or to have any specific treatment for HPV, if you have HPV.