Pap exam guide released by Pacific Prime China

Women in China, especially expatriate women, oftentimes have a lot of questions about receiving high quality obstetric and gynecological care. Women moving to the major metropolitan areas of Shanghai and Beijing, and who are new to these areas, will already have plenty to learn when it comes to addressing the basic healthcare needs of they and their families. For expats in particular, the Chinese healthcare system can be a confusing one, as the local public healthcare system can be quite different from other ones around the world, and, in fact, there can even be quite a bit of difference in healthcare systems between different parts of China.

Nevertheless, women need to be concerned with their personal healthcare, so taking the time to learn about the local women’s healthcare systems and facilities is a virtual necessity when it comes to staying healthy long term. One important test that is necessary to do so is the Pap smear examination. As such, Pacific Prime China has created a new guide all about Pap smears in Shanghai and Beijing. Here, we discuss what can be found within the guide, and discuss women’s healthcare in China a bit more broadly.

Women’s health in China

If you are new to China, there are some women’s health trends that you should know about. One of the most important trends being seen currently is that cancer is booming when it comes to women in China, and not in a good way. As recently as 2015, it has been reported that China saw over 4.25 million new cancer cases and more than 2.8 million deaths as a result of cancer.

For example, the incidence of breast cancer in the country has skyrocketed in recent years, becoming the most common form of cancer found among women in China. The incidence rate for this form of cancer in the most urban of Chinese cities is now at 60 per 100,000 women! To be clear, this rate is halved in small cities, so there seems to be some correlation between urban living in China and risk factors related to developing breast cancer.

Fortunately, the healthcare that is to be found in urban Chinese hospitals is the best that can be found in the country. For local and expatriate women alike, if you are in China, you have access to the country’s public hospitals and their subsidized care. On the other hand, the best care in the China is provided by private or international hospitals, where care often comes with high price tags, and proof of payment will often need to be provided before a patient can even be admitted.

These pricier facilities are more often than not the preferred treatment options for expats in China, as the quality of care is of an international standard, and the likelihood that hospital staff speak your language are vastly improved. Having access to these facilities are a key reason to have a private health insurance plan in China.

Pap smears and insurance in China

While breast cancer may be the most common form of cancer among women in China, it should still be noted that cervical cancer is the second most common gynecological cancer. Pap smears are generally the first line of defense when it comes to detecting cervical cancer. What’s more, as there are real and impactful ways to address this disease head on from a relatively young age, it’s important to act sooner than later if you happen to be a woman who is at risk of developing cervical cancer.

How do you know if you are at risk? Well, there are a number of risk factors, signs, and symptoms – which are covered in the Pap exam guide – that could clue you into the fact that it’s time to get a Pap exam, but the fact is that any woman over the age of 21 should be going for regular Pap screenings unless they are told otherwise by their doctor.

There are plenty of quality women’s healthcare facilities in both Shanghai and Beijing that can provide Pap exams, but prices can range a bit between them. Even so, most people will not have to break the bank just to be screened for cervical cancer. That being said, a positive result indicating cervical cancer could be the first step on a long and costly treatment regime.

Will your health insurance policy cover both Pap smears and the cost of treating cervical cancer? There are different factors that come into play on this point, and we touch on them within the guide.

About the Pap exam guide

Pacific Prime China’s Pap exam guide is one of the resources that Pacific Prime has provided and will continue to provide via our website’s Health Guides section. This section is designed provide guides, infographics, reports, and any other piece of content we create that can help people to better understand various aspects of modern healthcare and health insurance in China. This is not just a resource for women or expats in China, but for all people, including policyholders, insurance industry insiders, parents, business owners, and even people who have never been insured before.

Within the Pap exam guide itself, readers will find a number of valuable pieces of information within sections covering:

• Basic background information on Pap smears
• The link between cervical cancer and HPV
• When and when not to get a Pap smear
• The Pap smear process
• What to think about your results
• The costs of Pap smears in Shanghai and Beijing
• Health insurance coverage for Pap smears
• How to use Pacific Prime China to your advantage

Women of all ages should know about this topic, as it could one day save their life, or the life of somebody they love. If you’re interested in any of the above items, please download your China Pap exam guide from our website today.

Get the information and insurance you need

Hopefully the information provided above has given you some valuable information that will help you get started down the path to great health in China. Of course, we understand if you still have a number of questions. Never fear! The helpful insurance experts at Pacific Prime China are ready and willing to make sure that you have true peace of mind.

To have any China healthcare or insurance related questions on your mind answered in full, as well as to receive a comparison of health insurance policies from top local and global health insurance providers and a free price quote, contact us today!

Disclaimer: Pacific Prime China solely represents, operates and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.