Canberra-based Dr Bajwa specialises in women’s and mental health and has been practising medicine in Australia for over a decade. In part 1 of this series, Dr Bajwa explained the process of diagnosis and available vaccines for HPV (human papillomavirus). She also talked about some cultural myths and stigmas attached to contracting the virus and cervical cancer in migrant communities, especially from the South Asian countries.
In part 2, she talks about the way forward if a woman is HPV positive.
Talking to SBS Urdu, she said if HPV test result is negative, the woman is advised to return for a routine cervical screening test after five years. However, women found HPV positive but with low-risk strands will be tested again in one year.
“A healthy immune system helps with getting rid of this virus quicker.”
“Every adult is exposed to this virus,” she said, adding, “We have to understand that it is the most common virus among sexually active adults.”
She said that 90% of the low-risk HPV clears off automatically between eight months to a year. In 100% cases, it clears off after two years.
“A healthy immune system helps with getting rid of this quicker,” she said.
However, if a woman is found to be HPV positive with a high-risk strand (HPV 16 and/or 18), also referred to as a high-grade lesion, she will then be sent for further testing right away.
Cervical cancer is curable and such timely tests are very important for a woman's health. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry: Dr Tabinda Bajwa
“This includes colposcopy, a procedure in which gynaecologists use a special microscope to examine the surface of the cervix for abnormalities,” she explained.
Sometimes cell changes cannot be noticed in routine screening tests and that is why a colposcopy is important, which Dr Bajwa said, can be a bit uncomfortable but is not a painful procedure. 
Australia is on the road to eliminating cervical cancer from the country in the next 20 years. According to Dr Bajwa, this could be possible also because cervical cancer is completely curable, and such timely tests are thus very important for a woman's health.
Are you keeping an eye? Source: Cancer Institute NSW
"Remember," she said, “It is better to be safe than sorry.”
To listen to Part 1 of the two-episode series on cervical screening, HPV, cervical cancer and vaccination, click here.
Also, listen to SBS Urdu radio program on Wednesdays and Sundays at 6:00 pm AEST.
