Myth 1: Pap tests need to be done yearly
Fact: If your Pap and HPV tests are routine, they need not be done yearly. Cervical screening guidelines for women who have tested negative previously include the following:

Ages 21-29: Pap test to be done every three years. 
Ages 30-64: Pap test and HPV test to be done every five years. 
Ages 65 and older: Consult a specialist or doctor on whether you need to continue Pap and HPV tests, as this can vary from person to person. 

Even though Pap and HPV tests may not be mandatory, preventive health checks with a doctor should be done regularly to flag any potential disease early.

Myth 2: HPV only affects people with multiple sex partners
Fact: This is not true, as HPV is ubiquitous and can affect any person. Many people are unknowingly affected by HPV at some point in their lifetime but do not get any associated disease because their immune systems can fight it effectively.

Myth 3: Screening is only necessary for people who have a family history of cervical cancer
Fact: A majority of cervical cancer cases are caused by certain types of HPV, which generally spreads by skin contact during sex with someone who has the virus. A family history of cervical cancer only has a small role to play. 

Myth 4: Cervical cancer cannot be prevented.
Fact: Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, especially with regular screening tests and a vaccine that protects against types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers.

Awareness about this condition can go a long way in helping to reduce the cases and, at the same time, ensure timely diagnosis and prognosis for women affected by cervical cancer. 

With inputs from IANS. Photos Courtesy: iStock