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All you need to know about the Pap Smear Test

Regular pap smears or Papanicolaou tests are the best way to detect cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. It is a microscopic examination of cells obtained from the uterine cervix. It can detect certain viral infections such as human papillomavirus or HPV, known to cause cervical cancer. A woman may be affected with cervical cancer and not know it due to lack of symptoms. Early treatment of precancerous changes detected on the Pap smear can stop cervical cancer before it fully develops.

The incidence and resulting deaths from cervical cancer has declined considerably over the years thanks to prevention, screening and early detection by the pap smear. Abnormal pap smear results indicate the early stages of disease and need reasonable observation by a doctor.

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

Risks factors for cervical cancer include conditions that increase the chances of being infected with HPV as well as the following factors-

· Multiple sexual partners or sexual partners who have had multiple partners

  • Weak immune system

· Previous cancer of the lower genital tract

  • Smoking

Cervical cancer screening is now recommended every 3 years starting age 21. It may be carried out every 5 years for women over 30 if a pap smear and HPV test are performed. There is no upper age limit for screening because the incidence of cancer increases with age at a time when women may be less likely to carry out a pap smear. Diagnosis for these cancers is commonly made in women over the age of 50. A woman should continue to have regular pap smears even after menopause. If a woman over age 65 has had 3 or more normal pap tests in a row and no abnormal results in the last 10 years, she can opt to stop having pap tests. A woman who has had her uterus removed should still undergo yearly screening if a history of advanced precancerous changes is detected on pap smear or other lower genital tract cancer.

The procedure for pap smear is neither complicated nor painful. The only risk is not detecting cervical cancer on time to be able to cure it.

Preparing for a Pap Smear Test

It is best to not have a pap smear test if you are menstruating. Also, it is recommended to avoid the following for two days before the test as it may make interpretation of the test doubly difficult-

  • Intercourse
  • Douches

· Vaginal medications, unless allowed by your doctor

· Birth control foams, creams, jellies or other vaginal contraceptives

A pap smear test results can go both ways –

A negative finding states that the cervix looks healthy and all cells are found to be of healthy size and shape.

A positive indicates something unusual found in the sample. The test may have found cells of different size and shape.

An abnormal pap smear result may not always mean cancerous cells, but the patient will be required to go in for a return visit to the doctor for follow-up care.