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Human Papilloma Virus Screening Singapore

genital, anal and oral

What is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection?

HPV is a virus that can infect many areas of the body. There are over 100 strains and the majority are low risk and reside on the skin and can cause conditions such as warts. While this isn’t pleasant it can be easily treated. Approximately 40 HPV strains can be passed on through sex but 12 to 14 of these are considered high risk for certain types of cancer.

The primary cancer of note is cervical cancer with just 2 strains (16 and 18) causing 70% of all cervical cancers.

A further 5 strains pushes this number to 95%. However, these high risk strains may also cause, anal, penile and throat cancer, although the incidence is much lower.

HPV Screening Singapore

What is HPV Screening Singapore

HPV screening in Singapore is crucial for preventing cervical cancer. The Ministry of Health recommends sexually active women aged 30 and older undergo HPV testing every 5 years, while women aged 25-29 are advised to have Pap smears. 

HPV tests are effective for detecting high-risk infections early, improving prevention outcomes. Rapid HPV testing, which provides next-day results, and self-swab options offer convenient and affordable ways for women to prioritise their health. 

Regular screenings empower women to take proactive steps toward protecting their well-being and reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

Types of HPV Tests

HPV screening in Singapore is crucial for preventing cervical cancer. The Ministry of Health recommends sexually active women aged 30 and older undergo HPV testing every 5 years, while women aged 25-29 are advised to have Pap smears. 

HPV tests are effective for detecting high-risk infections early, improving prevention outcomes. Rapid HPV testing, which provides next-day results, and self-swab options offer convenient and affordable ways for women to prioritise their health. 

Regular screenings empower women to take proactive steps toward protecting their well-being and reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

Different Types of HPV Tests

Singapore offers several methods for HPV screening:

A Pap smear test collects cells from the cervix to detect abnormalities that could indicate cervical health issues or early signs of HPV. Women aged 25–69 with normal Pap smear results are recommended to undergo cervical cancer screening every three years.

Note that Pap smears do not test for HPV directly but play a crucial role in identifying warning signs for further investigation.

The HPV DNA test is specifically designed to identify high-risk HPV types known to contribute to cervical cancer. Recommended for women over 30, this test can detect HPV infections earlier than a Pap smear. It may be done alone or in combination with Pap smear screening for a more comprehensive cervical cancer screening approach.

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) provides a cost-effective cervical cancer screening method, particularly for resource-limited settings. The process involves applying acetic acid to the cervix and visually inspecting it for abnormalities. Though less precise than other tests, its affordability and simplicity make it an accessible option for basic screening needs.

Who should get tested?

Currently testing only applies to high risk strains of HPV and even then most laboratories in Singapore are limited to testing individually for 16 and 18 and then grouping other high risk strains together. Accurate testing can only be performed for women and this can be done together with a regular Pap smear (which looks directly for cancerous cells). While swabbing can be done for men, it is not accurate and currently not fully recommended.

Women should be testing regularly if they are sexually active, particularly if they have different partners and it should be done even if they feel normal without any symptoms. Once a year is the general recommendation but if you have a positive result or an abnormal pap smear this may be shortened to 6 monthly until resolution. If HPV remains present and Pap smear results are worsening then review by a specialist is the next step.

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Low risk strains of HPV may produce warts. Those that are passed on sexually may produce genital warts which are fleshy growths from the skin around the genital and anal region. These growths are often pain-free but are unpleasant to see.

High risk strains often have no symptoms until it is too late. If we take cervical cancer as an example, many women who are developing this cancer due to HPV have no symptoms at all. Sometimes there may be some vaginal spotting but this may be overlooked. Symptoms that appear later are often do with advanced cervical cancer that has spread to other organs and if this occurs the prognosis is poor.

Chair in gynecological room. Daytime. Medical concept indoors. nobody

How do we treat HPV?

Currently warts can be treated by removing them via freezing-therapy, acid solutions or direct surgical removal. However, this may not cure the virus as it may still be present but in a dormant state. Most people’s immune system can cure the virus on its own but this may take several years.

As with low risk strains, high risk strains have no direct cure. Once it is present then the only hope is that the immune system can eliminate it on its own. In certain cases for cervical infection a procedure may be performed to remove part of the cervix that aims to remove the infected tissue as well but there is no guarantee that this will be 100% successful so regular screening is still required after.

What happens if it is left untreated?

If warts are present and left untreated then they may continue to spread. While they can still be removed, wider spread can appear unpleasant and may lead to scarring of the area should more aggressive surgical intervention be needed.

High risks strains are a different matter, particularly for cervical cancer. While there is no specific treatment, regular screening (such as pap smear) can monitor the progress of disease.

If results remain stable and clear then regular screening can be continued. If there is evidence that cervical cancer may be developing then a specialist may remove part of the cervix. In more advanced cases the entire cervix and uterus may be removed. If no screening is performed at any stage then cervical cancer could develop and it may not exhibit any symptoms. The cancer will eventually spread to other organs and the survival rate of this, unfortunately, is very poor.

Potential HPV infection in the throat and rectal area will have to be monitored visually for any evidence of cancer as there is no accurate screening method currently.

How to prevent getting HPV?

Low risk strains are a challenge as they can pass on through skin to skin contact even if there was no sex. But regular visual checks can help identify warts so they can be treated early.

The highest risk strains can be prevented with a vaccine. Three are available and the latest is Gardasil 9. As the name suggests it protects against 9 strains of HPV, two wart causing strains and seven cancer causing strains. The vaccine is given as 3 doses over 6 months and current evidence shows that there is no need for further boosters. Once complete the vaccine can reduce the risk of cancer by 95% particularly in the case of cervical cancer. We cannot stress the importance of this vaccine as it is one of the only types of its kind that can reduce the risk of cancer. Both men and women can take this vaccine.

However, if those at risk screen and treat infections regularly, the overall chance of infection is significantly reduced.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

When should I go for STD screening?

You should consider screening if you have symptoms of a possible STD, if you have had a recent risky exposure (unprotected sex with a casual partner), or both.

Can I get STDs from oral sex?

Yes, you can. The common misconception is that oral sex is not considered ‘real’ sex and therfore has no risk but the opposite is true. Often oral sex is performed without protection and this is why infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea can pass on through oral sex.

Can STDs be cured?

Thankfully the majority can be cured but there are some such as Herpes and HIV that can be treated but not cured. This is why prevention is better than cure and ensuring safe sex goes a long way to reduce your risks.