Specialist Gyneacologist & Gynaecological Oncology Surgeon
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a time to talk openly about a disease that is preventable yet still affects thousands of women worldwide every year. Cervical cancer does not announce itself with early symptoms. This is why screening—the Pap smear and HPV testing—remains one of the most powerful tools in women’s health.
And yet, many women delay or avoid screening, often because of fear, embarrassment, misconceptions, or simply not knowing what to ask. Below are some of the questions I wish women asked earlier—and the answers that can make all the difference.
Questions & Answers:
What women often
want to know
(but don’t always ask)
“If I feel fine, do I really need a Pap smear?”
Yes. Cervical cancer usually develops silently. By the time symptoms such as bleeding or pain appear, the disease may already be advanced. Screening is designed to detect pre-cancerous changes long before cancer develops, when treatment is simple and highly effective.
“What exactly does a Pap smear look for?”
A Pap smear looks for abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes are often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)—a very common virus that most sexually active people will be exposed to at some point. Most HPV infections clear on their own, but persistent infection with certain high-risk types can lead to cervical cancer over time.
“Isn’t cervical cancer rare now?”
It is far less common in countries with strong screening programmes such as the UK, Australia and North America—and that is no coincidence. Where screening rates fall, cervical cancer rates rise. Screening works, but only if women attend regularly. Cervical cancer, unfortunately, is very common in Trinidad and Tobago, and it is thought to be the leading cause of cancer deaths in the age group 15 to 44.
“Isn’t cervical cancer a disease of old women. I’m young, why should I worry?”
Cervical cancer can affect women of many ages, including those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. While the risk of developing cervical cancer increases with age, HPV infection usually happens much earlier, often soon after a woman becomes sexually active. So being younger does not mean you are safe.
On the other end of the spectrum, older women may also assume they no longer need screening, especially after menopause or if they are no longer sexually active. This can also be risky. Cervical cancer rates remain significant in women over 50, particularly among those who stopped screening too early.
“But no one in my family has had cervical cancer — why should I be worried?”
Cervical cancer is usually not a hereditary disease. Unlike some cancers that strongly run in families, most cases of cervical cancer are caused by long-term infection with certain high-risk types of HPV—not by genes passed down from parents.
That means having no family history does not protect you from cervical cancer. Most women who develop cervical cancer have no relatives who have had it before. The main risk factor is exposure to HPV, which is extremely common. In fact, most sexually active people—men and women—will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives, often without ever knowing it.
So even if no one in your family has ever had cervical cancer, screening remains one of the most important things you can do to protect your own health.
The fears that keep
women away
Fear is one of the biggest barriers to screening, and it deserves to be addressed honestly.
“I’m afraid the test will be painful”
For most women, a Pap smear is uncomfortable but not painful. It takes less than a minute. If you are anxious, tense, or have had a difficult experience before, tell your healthcare provider — gentle techniques and smaller instruments can make a big difference.
“I’m scared of getting bad results.”
This fear is very common — and very understandable. But it helps to remember that abnormal results rarely mean cancer. Most abnormal Pap smears show early changes that can be monitored or treated easily. Screening is what prevents those changes from becoming cancer.
Common myths — Debunked
Myth 1: “I’m too young / too old to need screening.”
Screening is recommended within specific age ranges (20 to 65) because that is when it is most effective. Being outside the age range can also be just as risky if you have never been screened.
Myth 2: “I’m not sexually active anymore.”
HPV can remain dormant in the body for many years. You do not need to be currently sexually active to benefit from screening.
Myth 3: “I only need screening if I have symptoms.”
By the time symptoms appear, cervical disease may already be advanced. Screening is preventative—not diagnostic.
Myth 4: “I’ve only had one partner, so I don’t need it.”
HPV does not discriminate. One partner is enough exposure. Screening recommendations apply regardless of relationship history.
Barriers beyond fear — and how to overcome them
Some women avoid screening because of embarrassment, previous trauma, lack of time, or unpleasant past experiences. These are valid concerns. You are allowed to:
Ask for a healthcare provider who feels comfortable with
Ask questions before the exam starts
Ask for the exam to stop at any time
Bring a support person if permitted
Your comfort and consent matter.
A simple cervical
screening checklist
Who needs screening?
Women with a cervix who have been sexually active, ages 20 to 65
Even if vaccinated against HPV (screening is still essential)
If you have had a subtotal hysterectomy (womb removed but cervix left in), you still need pap smears
How often?
This depends on your age and whether Pap smear, HPV testing, or co-testing (both Pap and HPV) is used.
Typically, every year or every three years, depending on local guidelines
Your healthcare provider can advise what applies to you
What if you are overdue for your Pap smear?
It is never “too late” to restart screening
Book an appointment—even if it has been years since your last one!
Do not let guilt or embarrassment delay you further; your doctor is simply glad that you came.
The take-home message
Cervical cancer is not inevitable— it is a disease of missed opportunities for prevention. This cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers we know. Screening saves lives—quietly, effectively, and often without drama.
This January, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is not just about awareness, teal ribbons or statistics. It is about encouraging women with the right information, addressing fears with compassion, and reminding every woman that looking after her health is not selfish — it is an essential right that you owe to yourself.
If you have been putting off your screening, let this be the month you take that step. Your future self will thank you.
