What Is A Pap Smear?

A pap smear is a simple test that can help prevent cancer of the cervix. During a pap smear, your doctor takes a sample of cells from your cervix to be tested.

To take the sample, your doctor will gently put a special instrument called a speculum into your vagina. This helps open your vagina so the doctor can see your cervix and a sample can be taken. Your doctor may gently clean your cervix with a cotton swab and then collect a sample of cells from your cervix with a small brush, a tiny spatula or a cotton swab. This sample is put on a glass slide and sent to a laboratory to be checked This exam only takes a few minutes. It is very important to stay relaxed to help make it more comfortable for you.

What Is The Pap Smear Sample Checked For?

The cells taken during a pap smear test are checked for signs that they're changing from normal. If cells are to turn into cancer, they go through a slow series of changes. Pap smears can show if your cells are going through these changes long before you have cancer. Cervical cancer is not life-threatening if it's caught early. This is why getting your pap smear regularly is so important. The test results will return to your doctor's office within a few weeks and if the results are abnormal, your health care provider will refer you to a gynecologist who specializes in the area of abnormal pap smear results. 

What Do The Results Mean?

A negative pap test is one that is reported as satisfactory and shows normal cells. Some pap tests are not satisfactory or have abnormal cells and have to be repeated.

A positive pap smear means that your results aren't normal but does not always mean you have cancer. A pap smear can have a positive result for many reasons including inflamed cervical cells such as an infection of the cervix. Yeast infections, recent sexual activity, infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) or herpes virus or many other infections can cause pap smear results to be positive. Also, changes in cells that are very early signs of cancer can also cause your Pap smear to be abnormal. 

What Will A Gynecologist Suggest If You Have Abnormal Results?

A gynecologist will suggest you to have further evaluation by means of a colposcopy exam. Colposcopy is an easy test that gives your doctor a better look at your cervix where samples of cervical tissue is taken (biopsy). Before the colposcopy, the doctor puts a special solution on the cervix. This causes the abnormal cells to turn white. The doctor then looks at the cervix through a colposcope. A colposcope is a special instrument that shines a light on the cervix and magnifies it.
Colposcopy doesn't feel much different from a Pap smear. But some women feel a little cramping and bleed a little bit afterward.

How Are The Abnormal Cells Treated?

If the tests show that you have some changes on your cervix that could lead to cancer, your gynecologist may recommend the LEEP procedure which remove the affected cells. LEEP (Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure) removes the cells using a wire loop. More than one treatment may be necessary because the treatments don't always reach all of the affected cells the first time. 

What Check-Ups Are Necessary After Treatment?

Check-ups following treatment are necessary to make sure all the abnormal cells are gone and the cervix has healed. Early detection is the key to minimize the risk of cancer developing. After treatment, women will be advised by their health care provider on how often they will need to have routine Pap smears done.

What If I Have An Abnormal Pap Smear During Pregnancy?

It is safe to have a Pap smear during pregnancy. If your Pap smear results are abnormal, a colposcopy could be performed during your pregnancy. However, further treatment will probably be delayed until after your baby is born. Frequently, the birth of your baby will wash away any abnormal cervical cells. There is no risk to your baby in having an abnormal Pap smear.

Is There Anything I Can Do To Avoid Getting Cervical Cancer?

You may be able to reduce your risk of cervical cancer by:

• Not having sex too early (before age 20).
• Limiting the number of sex partners you have.
• Using latex condoms may help prevent the spread of HPV and other STIs.
• Not smoking.