1. Why Should I Care ?
If detected early enough by a Pap smear, there is a greater chance of a successful cure of cervical cancer. A pap smear essentially entails microscopic examination of cells scraped off your uterus to check for any unusual signs or abnormal findings such as cancer. During a pelvic exam, your doctor will insert a plastic spatula into your vagina. Using a small brush the doctor will scrape off a few cells from the cervix for testing. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), when a positive pap smear shows minor cell changes or abnormalities, a biopsy probably will not be done immediately, unless there is a reason to believe the patient may be in a high-risk category.
2. Who Should Really Care ?
If you are a woman over the age of 21 or have been sexually active, you might need an annual Pap test. If you are HIV-AIDS positive, have a weakened immune system due to chemotherapy, organ transplant or chronic steroid use, for instance, you should have frequent Pap tests. If you are someone with a higher risk of cancer you might need it more often.
3. Is There a Cause for Concern ?
If your Pap test results are normal, you should be happy. On the other hand, an abnormal finding is not always a cause for concern. It might just need further tests to confirm or rule out the initial result. For minor cell changes, the NIH recommends that a repeat Pap smear be done in six months. In a procedure called a colposcopy, a special microscope is used to examine the cervix and vagina. For accurate results during a Pap test, it is essential that you avoid sex, vaginal creams or douching for two days before you check in. In fact, menopausal women might need a dose of the female hormone estrogen before a repeat Pap test. However, the Pap test cannot be relied upon to detect any sexually transmitted infection.
4. Symptoms to Watch for Between Pap Smears
Watch out for any unusual patterns of bleeding: Does it start and stop between regular menstrual periods, or does it happen after intercourse? Do you have any abnormal vaginal discharge? Let your doctor know of any of these symptoms.
5. Do You Need Pap Smears Even After an Hysterectomy?
This depends on whether your hysterectomy was partial or complete. If your uterus was removed completely or partially due to invasive cancer of the cervix, your Pap testing should continue. In any case, you cannot miss the annual pelvic exams.
