Pap Smear Test

As cervical cancer is the cause for about 8% of total yearly deaths in the world, it is necessary to find a plausible cure against the disease. A papanicolaou test or a pap smear acts as a preventive measure against it.

The test is usually done during a pelvic exam. In women above 30, it is integrated with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV). It involves the scraping of cells from the opening of the cervix and then placing them under a microscope for examination. The microscopic examination is done to detect the presence of abnormal cells.

The test can be done at medical clinics and hospitals. If you are a resident of Phoenix metropolitan area, you can visit Phoenix Family Medical Clinic for complete screening process.

Procedure

A device called the speculum is used by the doctor, to widen the opening of the vagina. He then utilizes a spatula to collect the cervical cells. The procedure is painless but can cause a little discomfort.

Samples from around the cervix are also collected as part of the procedure. The appropriate time to undergo the pap smear is 10 to 20 days after your menstrual period

Risk factors

Various factors have been determined that contribute to the increase in risk of cervical cancer.

Smoking : Smoking can cause an increase in the prospects of cervical cancer by two to four times. It usually goes unnoticed by most women.

Poor Immunity : Precancerous developments are possible in the cervix for women who have a poor immunity naturally or due to heavy medications.

Human Papillomavirus : The dominant factor linked with cervical cancer is HPV. The infection also causes abnormal pap smear results. Almost all women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer have HPV.

Other Factors : Engaging in sexual intercourse from a young age or having multiple sexual partners also increase the risk of being vulnerable to HPV or cancer.

Types

There are two methods of screening. The conventional pap smear and liquid base cytology. The conventional method involves samples to be collected from the cervix and smeared directly onto a microscope slide. The latter involves the cells to be suspended in a bottle of preservatives before they are taken for inspection.

Who should do it?

The ideal age for screening is 21 and it should be conducted once in every three years. Consult your doctor on when you should start the test. Women who are prone to cervical cancer are the ideal choice for pap smear.

You can stop screening post the age of 65, if all your test results have been normal and healthy.

How to prepare?

To avoid hindering the results, do not indulge in sexual intercourse, douching or vaginal creams at least 48 hours before the test. This can hide abnormal cells during assessment.

Results

The average time to obtain the results is at least two to three weeks. If the cells of the pap smear seem to appear abnormal, there is a high chance that you are suffering from an infection or even cancer. Sexually transmitted diseases cannot be determined by the screening.

Remember that the pap smear is not 100% accurate and cases of cancer can be missed.

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