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Cervical Cancer Screening in Singapore
What is Cervical Cancer?
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects the uterus to the vagina. Cervical cancer occurs when cells in the cervix undergo abnormal changes and begin to grow uncontrollably.
In Singapore, cervical cancer is the 10th most common cancer among women. The good news is that most cases can be successfully treated if detected early through regular screening.
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a persistent infection with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus that is spread through sexual contact, including vaginal, oral, or genital skin contact – penetrative sex is not always required. As HPV is very common, most sexually active people will be exposed to it at some point in their lives.
While most HPV infections clear on their own, some high-risk strains can lead to cervical cancer over time if not detected early.
What are the signs and symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
Early-stage cervical cancer usually has no signs or symptoms, which is why regular screening is so important.
As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding (e.g. between periods or after intercourse)
- Bloody or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Pain during sexual intercourse
Who should get Screened?
Cervical cancer screening is recommended for all women aged 25 to 69 years of age, as long as they have been sexually active before.
Even if you have received the HPV vaccination, regular screening is still important, as the vaccine does not protect against all cancer-causing HPV types (although it protects against 90% of cervical cancer).
How is Cervical Cancer Screening conducted?
There are 2 types of cervical cancer screening:
- Pap smear: detects pre-cancerous/ cancerous cells at the cervix
- HPV test: detects strains of HPV associated with cervical cancer
Our national cancer screening guidelines recommend:
- Women aged 25 to 29 years: Pap smear once every 3 years
- Women aged 30 to 69 years: HPV test once every 5 years
What Can I Expect during my Screening?
Both Pap smears and HPV tests are simple outpatient procedures carried out by our trained doctors in a private consultation room.
During the screening, you will be asked to lie comfortably on an examination couch while a pelvic examination is performed. A speculum is gently inserted into the vagina to allow the doctor to view the cervix clearly.
A small, soft brush is then used to collect a sample of cells from the cervix. This process usually takes only a few seconds.
While some women may experience mild pressure or slight discomfort, especially if it is their first screening, the procedure is generally not painful.
The entire screening typically takes less than 10 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterwards.
Light spotting may occur in some cases, but this usually resolves quickly. If you feel anxious or uncomfortable at any point, let our doctors know—they can help adjust the examination to make you more comfortable.
What Can I do to Prepare for my Pap Smear/ HPV test?
To help ensure accurate results, it is best to schedule your screening when you are not having your menstrual period.
You do not need to fast or make any special dietary changes before your appointment.
What Happens after the test?
Once your results are available, our clinic team will contact you and schedule a consultation to go through the results.
What Subsidies are Available?
In Singapore, several government and community programmes make cervical cancer screening affordable and accessible to eligible women, encouraging early detection and better health outcomes.
Under the national Healthier SG initiative, Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can receive fully subsidised Pap smear and HPV tests at their enrolled clinics.
For those who are not Healthier SG Enrolees, cervical cancer screening is subsidized under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) at participating GP clinics. Eligible women aged 25 and above can undergo either the pap smear of HPV test at significantly reduced rates of $5 or less at CHAS GP clinics. This subsidy also covers one follow-up consultation if needed.
All our clinics are CHAS-accredited and part of the Healthier SG initiative.
Book an appointment with any of our clinics today for your cervical cancer screening!
Author
Dr Amaris Lim
MBBS, MMed (Fam Med), GDip (Sports Med)
Dr Amaris is a Family Physician at Frontier Healthcare with a special interest in Sports Medicine. She also contributes as one of the Core Faculty for the Family Medicine Residency Program with the National University Health System (NUHS). She currently practices at Canberra and Bukit Batok.
