The 10-Minute Appointment Many Women Are Putting Off

Do you want to know what is the 10-minute appointment many women are putting off is? Then keep reading, because it might just be an  appointment that saves your life!

The 10 minute appointment I am talking about today is a cervical screening appointment. It literally takes as long as it takes to boil a dang egg. Seriously! My goodness! It is that quick!

And the sample itself is collected in just a few seconds with a small soft brush. So, what’s the big deal? Sounds easy enough, right? Yet plenty of women in Singapore (and around the world), will push this appointment down their list of ‘things to do’ for years!

For 10 quick minutes (if that!), you can gain important knowledge about your body in exchange for only a few minutes of awkwardness! Ladies, just do it please…

I think part of the reason WHY women are putting this important appointment off all the time is because no one clearly explains what the test is looking for. Knowledge is power, afterall, so if you would like to know the test details before you book an appointment, you can check out this guide to Pap smear screening in Singapore. 

The 10-Minute Appointment Many Women Are Putting Off

It will walk you through the preparation, the procedure, and what on earth those results mean. And once you find out WHAT it is all about suddenly booking that appointment is far less scary than what you thought. 

What the Test Is Actually Looking For

A cervical screening isn’t simply looking for cancer. Instead, it looks for changes in the cells of your cervix that could potentially become cancerous over time if they aren’t treated (or because you keep putting it off…).

Nearly all cervical cancers are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a very common virus that a lot of sexually active people will be exposed to at some point. In many cases, the immune system clears HPV on its own without causing any problems (our bodies truly are miracles!).

That’s one of the reasons cervical screening is so dang important. It can catch changes early, often before they cause any symptoms or become a serious problem.

If abnormal cells are found, your healthcare provider can monitor or treat them before they have a chance to develop into cervical cancer. In other words, the goal isn’t to scare you! It is to catch potential problems early, when they are much easier to handle and treat.

Why The Gaps Between Screenings Got Longer

This part can seem a little confusing. I mean why would younger women need to be screened more often than women in their 30s and 40s? Doesn’t make sense, right? Wrong!

According to the Singapore Cancer Society, women ages 25 to 29 are recommended to have a Pap test every 3 years, while women ages 30 and older are recommended to have an HPV test every 5 years.

The longer gap doesn’t mean the screening is less important or less thorough. In fact, HPV testing can provide a better indication of your risk over the next several years!

A Pap test looks for abnormal changes in cervical cells that are already happening. An HPV test looks for high-risk types of HPV that can cause those changes to happen in the first place.

When an HPV test comes back negative, your risk of developing cervical cancer in the near future is very low. That’s why screening times can be longer for people who have a negative HPV test.

So, fewer screenings don’t necessarily mean less protection. It can just mean that the test being used can give you confidence for a longer period of time! Yay!!!

A Simple Screening Reminder

If you’re trying to remember the schedules of getting this screening done, here’s what to keep in mind!

• Ages 25 to 29: A Pap test every three years
• Ages 30 to 69: An HPV test every five years
• If you’ve ever been sexually active: You may still need regular cervical screening, even if it was many years ago
• If you’ve had the HPV vaccine: You still need cervical screening because the vaccine doesn’t protect against every type of HPV that can cause cervical cancer

It’s also a good idea to schedule your next screening as soon as you get your results. When the next appointment is several years away, it can be surprisingly easy to forget about it and less anxiety for you! Just put a reminder in your calendar when you do so you don’t have to think about it again until it’s time.

A Few Things to Know Before Your Screening

A little preparation can help make sure your cervical screening go a lot smoother (and quicker!) and make it easier for your healthcare provider can get a clear sample.

Here Are Some Things To Know Before Your Appointment:

Don’t Be On Your Period: If possible, try to schedule your appointment for a time when you aren’t having your period, since blood can sometimes make the sample harder to evaluate.

No ‘Extras’ Down There: Your healthcare provider may also recommend avoiding vaginal creams, lubricants, douching, or sex for a short period before your appointment, as these can sometimes affect the sample.

Don’t Panic: If you happen to schedule your screening at the wrong time (your period shows up or you had some extra fun time with hubs), don’t panic! Your healthcare provider can let you know whether the sample was clear enough to use or if you need to come back for another test.

Show Up for The Appointment: The most important thing is simply to make the appointment and actually show up for it! 

Then, follow any preparation instructions your healthcare provider gives you. If you’re unsure about what to avoid beforehand, it’s always okay to ask when you schedule your screening.

What Happens If Your Result Is Not Normal

Getting an abnormal cervical screening result can be really worrying, but it does not automatically mean that you have cancer! If your test detects HPV, it means the virus was found in the sample. HPV is very common, and in many cases, the immune system clears the infection on its own without treatment.

Depending on your results, your healthcare provider may recommend another screening test after a certain amount of time to see if the HPV or cell changes have cleared. You may also be referred for a closer examination of your cervix, such as a colposcopy, which uses a magnifying device to look for abnormal areas more closely.

If abnormal cells need to be removed, a small procedure may be recommended. Treating and taking care of these changes early can help prevent them from developing into cervical cancer.

The word “abnormal” can sound frightening, but an abnormal result does not necessarily mean something serious is wrong. It simply means your healthcare provider has found something that may need to be monitored or treated.

Making Your Screening More Comfortable

You’re allowed to ask for what you need during your appointment. If the standard speculum feels uncomfortable, you can ask whether a smaller one is available. You can also request a female healthcare provider if that would make you feel more less awkward.

Let your provider know before the screening, if you’re nervous or worried about discomfort. You can ask them to explain what they’re doing as they are doing it and before each step. You can also ask them to slow down if you need a moment.

Try to relax your muscles and take slow, steady breaths during the examination. Tensing up can make the experience more uncomfortable, so focusing on your breathing may help.

If possible, give yourself plenty of time for your appointment instead of squeezing it into an already hectic day. Feeling rushed or stressed can make an uncomfortable appointment feel even more uncomfortable.

Cervical screening only takes a short amount of your time, but it can play a very important role in finding anything suspicious early on. If you’ve been putting off your screening because you’re nervous, just talk to your healthcare provider about ways to make the appointment more comfortable. Once it’s done, you can get on with your day knowing you took an important step toward looking after your health! Good job!