PAP SMEAR

Overview
A Pap smear (also called a Pap test) is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. It tests for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix, the opening of the uterus. It’s named after the western doctor who determined that this was a useful way to detect signs of cervical cancer, Georgios Papanikolaou. During the procedure, cells from your cervix are gently scraped away and then examined for abnormal growth.

Part 2 of 6: Uses

Reasons for Getting a Pap Smear
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that causes warts. There are over 100 different types of HPV. There are 40 that are sexually transmitted. The primary causes of cervical cancer are HPV types 16 and 18. Even though a Pap smear doesn’t test for HPV, it identifies cellular changes caused by the virus. By detecting cervical cancer cells early with a Pap smear, treatment can start before it spreads and becomes a bigger problem.

You can get HPV from sex with men or women. All sexually active women are at risk for contracting HPV and should get a Pap smear at least every three years.

The test doesn’t detect other sexually transmitted diseases. It can occasionally detect cell growth that indicates other cancers, but it shouldn’t be relied on for that purpose.

Part 3 of 6: Candidates

Who Needs a Pap Smear?
Generally, you should start getting regular Pap smears at age 21.

If you are HIV-positive or have a weakened immune system from chemotherapy or an organ transplant, you may need more frequent tests because of a higher risk of infections and cancer.

If you’re over 30 and have had three normal Pap tests in a row, ask your doctor about having one every five years if the test is combined with an HPV screening. Women over the age of 65 with a history of normal Pap test results may be able to stop having Pap smears in the future.

You should still get regular Pap smears even if you’re in a monogamous relationship. That’s because the HPV virus can be dormant for years, and then suddenly become active.

Part 4 of 6: Preparation
Preparation for a Pap Smear
You can schedule a Pap smear with your annual gynaecological examination or request a separate appointment with your gynaecologist.

If you’ll be menstruating on the day of your Pap smear, your doctor may want to reschedule the test, since results could be less accurate. Try to avoid having sexual intercourse, douching, or using spermicidal products the day before your test because these may interfere with your results.

Since Pap smears go more smoothly if your body is relaxed, it’s important to stay calm and take deep breaths during the procedure.

Part 5 of 6: Procedure

Pap Smear Procedure
The bad news is Pap smears can be a bit uncomfortable and they are risks.

During the procedure, you’ll lie on your back on an examination table with your legs spread and your feet resting in supports called stirrups. Your doctor will slowly insert a device called a speculum into your vagina to keep the vaginal walls open and provide access to the cervix. Then your doctor will scrape a small sample of cells from your cervix using a tool called a spatula. Most women feel a slight push and irritation during the brief scraping.

The sample of cells from your cervix will be preserved and sent to a lab to be tested for the presence of abnormal cells.

After the test, you might feel mild discomfort from the scraping, or a bit of cramping. You could also experience very light vaginal bleeding immediately following the test. Tell your doctor if discomfort or bleeding continues after the day of the test.

Part 6 of 6: Results
Results of a Pap Smear
There are two possible results from a Pap smear: normal or abnormal.

If the test results are abnormal, this doesn’t mean you have cancer. It simply means that there are abnormal cells on your cervix, some of which could be precancerous. Depending on what the test results show, your doctor may recommend increasing the frequency of your Pap smears, or getting a closer look at your cervical tissue with a procedure called colposcopy. This exam uses light and magnification to see vaginal and cervical tissues more clearly. In some cases, your doctor may also take a sample of your cervical tissue in a biopsy.

Pap tests are very accurate and regular Pap screenings reduce cervical cancer rates and mortality by 80 percent. Like a lot of medical testing, it’s not pleasant, and the discomfort isn’t a good thing. The other thing is that you have to go see the gynaecologist from time to time because you will the moping the water whilst the tap is open. Once the water floods again, you need to mop (do pap smear). As always, the western fraternity deals with the symptoms of a disorder and not the root cause thereby offering a temporal solution aka generic medication.