WHAT IS A PAP SMEAR – Here are some things to know about the pap smear test or also called pap test.
A pap smear is done to detect early signs of cervical cancer and also as a measure to prevent this disease from developing. This is how this procedure is done and the possible meanings of a positive or negative result.
Pap Smear or Pap Test – What Is The Purpose Of This Test?
These are the reasons why a woman should do a pap smear or pap test. Find out the purpose of this below!
PAP SMEAR – This is the meaning of pap smear or pap test and some of the reasons why women should do this.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the Pap test (or Pap smear) is done to detect early signs of cervical cancer and prevent it from developing.
Accordingly, it “looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately”.
Simply speaking, this is a life-saving procedure. How is it done?
The whole exam will take about 10 to 20 minutes for it to be done. It is done in your doctor’s office or clinic.
You will lie down on the bed with your feet firmly placed in stirrups. This position allows your legs to be spread and the doctor will insert a metal or plastic tool (speculum) into your part. It will be widened and it should be wide enough for the doctor to see your cervix.
The doctor will then use a swab to take a sample from your cervix, put it in a small jar, and send it to the lab for review. It will take days before the results will be released and they will come back either negative (normal) or positive (abnormal).
A negative result is a good result since it indicates that there are no precancerous or cancerous cells on your cervix.
And if the results come back negative, these are the probable reasons behind:
- dysplasia
- HPV or other infection
- Cancer or pre-cancer
- Lab test error
According to the CDC post, here are some reminders of the things you MUST REMEMBER TWO DAYS before a pap test:
- Do not rinse your part with water or any liquid
- Do not use a tampon
- Do not do s*x
- Do not use birth control foam, cream, or jelly
- Do not use or apply medicine or cream
If you have a period, you cannot have a pap test and you would have to undergo this test five days after the period ended.
Check out the frequency:
| Age | Pap smear frequency |
|---|---|
| Younger than 21 | Not necessary |
| 21 to 29 years old | Every three years |
| 30 to 65 years old | Every three years with a Pap test alone or every five years with a Pap/HPV co-test |
| Older than 65 | Not necessary if prior screenings showed normal results |
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