The Dreaded Pap Test Can Save You From Cervical Cancer
November 30, 2005 by
Those 20 Minutes of Unpleasantness Could Actually Save Your Life
You know the drill – lie on the exam table with legs spread, feet in stirrups, knees bent. Not a dignified experience! But did you know it could save your life?What Is It?
The Papanicolaou Smear
How Is It Performed?
After “assuming the position,” the gynecologist will introduce a speculum into the vagina. A speculum is a small instrument used to open the walls of the vaginal canal, affording visualization of the interior. A sampling of cells is then taken from the cervical canal by
The entire procedure can range between 10-20 minutes and can be mildly, albeit temporarily, painful.
What Should You NOT Do Before a Pap?
Do not schedule your Pap during menstruation. The optimum time to undergo the Test is approximately 10-20 days *after* the *first day* of your *last* period. Avoid intercourse, baths, douching and use of vaginal creams, suppositories, foams, medications, deodorant sprays or powders for 24 hours prior to the Test in order to avoid inaccurate results.
What Happens After?
If your results are normal – “negative” – nothing further is needed. If abnormal results are reported – “positive” – further investigation will be performed. In the case of infections, appropriate treatment will be prescribed. In the case of cell changes, a colposcopy may be performed, in which a special microscope is used to examine the cervix very closely. A biopsy will also likely be taken and further tested for abnormalities.
Paps are highly effective, but there is a slight chance of “false positive” or “false negative” results. In such cases, you and your physician will decide on the correct course of further testing and/or treatments.
When – and How Often - Should You Get Tested?
Previously, women began undergoing Pap Tests after becoming sexually active or at age 18, whichever came first. Updated guidelines now call for screening to start approximately 3 years after first sexual intercourse or age 21, whichever comes first. Many gynecologists also previously recommended annual screenings; however, the updated guidelines now recommend continued annual screenings only for women age 30 and under, and in those women 30 and over who have had positive results on previous Paps. Those women who have had negative results in three previous consecutive Paps may be advised to undergo screenings every 2-3 years. Of course, there are always exceptions. High-risk women will receive more frequent screenings based on their personal situations and at their doctor’s discretion.
Women who have had a total hysterectomy with removal of the cervix for non-malignant reasons may discontinue routine Paps at their personal physician’s recommendation, however; women who have undergone hysterectomy, but have a history of abnormal cell growth, should continue to undergo annual Paps until their gynecologist recommends otherwise.
Your gynecologist will determine when you can stop having Pap screenings based on your personal situation; generally, this ranges between ages 60-70.
Regardless of how often you and your physician decide you should have a Pap Test, you should still be sure to undergo your annual pelvic and gynecologic exams.
"A Necessary Evil"
Most women will agree, undergoing a Pap Test is not high on their list of favorite things to do. However, this relatively quick procedure can detect - and facilitate proper and timely treatment of - various infections and one of the most common cancers. It is important to undergo routine screenings based on your gynecologist's recommendations: the Pap Test can save your life.
Sources:
National Women’s Health Information Center, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women's Health:
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm#2
U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003911.htm
American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG):
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr07-31-03-1.cfm
“Optimizing the Papanicolaou Smear,” by E.J. Mayeaux, MD, LSU Health Sciences Center:
http://www.sh.lsuhsc.edu/fammed/OutpatientManual/PapSmear.htm
Cervical cancer develops when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. During a pelvic examination, a physician will conduct a Pap test for malignancy. Cervical cancer caused by Human Papilloma virus. Merck awaiting approval for a vaccine.
By travels | Published 5/29/2006 | Read more »
Every year thousands of women are diagnosed with cervical cancer but still thousands more remain unaware of this deadly disease invading their bodies until it may be too late for treatment. But finding out if you have cervical cancer is only one short doc
By Sheryl Nantus | Published 3/2/2005 | Read more »
The cervical cancer vaccine is no more a license to have sex than a seatbelt a license to get into a car accident. To be against the vaccine because it undermines abstinence is short sighted and extremely baffling!
By JudyJiastyle | Published 5/25/2006 | Read more »
A new vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, the number 2 cause of cancer deaths in women, and other HPV diseases was approved by the FDA in June. New Hampshire, and hopefully other states will join soon, is offering this vaccine to girls for free!
By Jonathon Walden | Published 12/5/2006 | Read more »
Later this month a new vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer will be made available.
By Allison Goines | Published 6/18/2006 | Read more »
|
|
- Pap Test Q&A from the National Institutes of Health Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detecti Cervical Cancer Basics www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/spec
Most Comments Today
- Associated Content Sources: Who Are We? If you have ever wondered what exactly an Associated Content Source is, keep... 31 Comments
- Hot News Quickies - Monday, July 6, 2009 News happens while you sleep - get your Hot News Quickies here! 29 Comments
- Give a Damn Another new song, this one describes the feelings of us who save the world ev... 28 Comments
- Why Would a Web Writer Drop DayLife.Com? Before I share my story with you, dear readers, I want to point out that Dayl... 24 Comments
- Is Obamageddon Coming? The times they are a changin' - but are we hurtling toward Armageddon - or as... 21 Comments
- A Little Good News Today - Part 2 Part two of "A Little Good News" 20 Comments