The Pap test, also known as a pap test, is a test that a doctor uses to diagnose cervical cancer in women. It also reveals changes in the cells of the cervix that can later turn into cancer.
Why is the pap smear done?
Uterine cells are smeared to detect changes before they become cancerous. If you have cancer, finding it early will give you the best chance of fighting it. If you don’t, early detection of cell changes can help prevent cancer.
Women ages 21 to 65 should have a daily Pap test. How often you do this depends on your general health and whether or not you’ve had an abnormal smear in the past.
How often should I get a pap smear?
You should get tested every 3 years for people ages 21 to 65. You can choose to have a Pap test for human papillomavirus (HPV) starting at age 30. If you do, you may be tested once every 5 years. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is associated with cervical cancer.
If you have some health problems, your doctor may recommend that you pap them frequently.
Some of them are:
- A Pap smear that reveals cervical cancer or early cells
- HIV infection
- Weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy, or chronic use of corticosteroids
- Infected with diethylstylebestrol (DES) before birth
Talk to your doctor if you have questions or problems. He will tell you for sure.
Preparation of pap smear
You should not have a pap smear during your period. Excessive bleeding affects the accuracy of the test. If your exam is scheduled for that time of the month, ask your doctor if you can reschedule it. To get the most accurate pap smear, doctors recommend starting 48 hours before the test and doing the following steps.
- Don’t have sex or use lubricants.
- Do not use sprays or powders near the vagina.
- Do not insert anything into the vagina, including tampons, medications, creams, and suppositories.
- Do not clean the vagina with water, vinegar, or other liquid (douche).
Pap smear procedure
The test can be done in your doctor’s office or at the clinic. This will take 10-20 minutes.
You lie on a table with your feet firmly on the straps. You stretch your legs, and your doctor inserts a metal or plastic tool (speculum) into your vagina. He opens it to widen the walls of the vagina. This will allow you to see your uterus. Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample of cells from your uterus. He puts the liquid in a small vial and sends it to the lab for review.
The pap test is not bothersome, but you may feel a little pinch or a bit of stress.
pap smear results
Your doctor will get them in a few days. They come back negative (normal) or positive (abnormal).
Normal result
A negative result is a good thing. This means that your doctor will not find cancer or pre-existing cells in your uterus. You don’t need another pap until you hit your next time.
Extraordinary result
If your results are positive, it does not mean you have cancer.
There are many reasons why you may have an unusual pap smear.
- Mild inflammation or small cell changes (dysplasia)
- HPV or other infection
- Cancer or precancer
- Laboratory test error
Inflammation can occur if you have sex or use a diaphragm shortly before a pap smear.
If you have inflammation or small cell changes, your doctor may recommend a “wait and see” procedure. They may suggest that you do another pap test in a few months. If the abnormal cells are not removed by then, your doctor may order more tests. These may include a procedure called a colposcopy.
During the colposcopy, your doctor inserts a speculum into your vagina as she did for a Pap test. At this point, look at the uterus with a colposcope. It is a device that has a lens and a bright light, allowing your doctor to see your uterus better. Your doctor will clean your uterus with vinegar or another liquid solution. Highlight areas that look suspicious. Your doctor will be able to see them through the lens of the colposcope.
If she finds areas that are not well visible, she will take a sample (biopsy). Send the sample to the lab for further testing.. You can clean your uterus with a chemical solution to limit bleeding.
Pop smear risk factors
The Pap test is considered a safe procedure. But there is a possibility that some abnormal cells or cervical cancers (false negative) will be missed on the test. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of cervical cancer screening.
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