Pap Smear

A medical procedure that takes a sample of the cells from the cervix is referred to as a Pap smear or Pap test. The cells are then examined to determine if there are any pre-malignant or malignant cells. Most women will have a Pap smear done with her regular yearly checkup because it can be done in a doctor’s office.

Pap smears are done to detect cervical cancer in its early stages when it is easiest to cure. Early treatment can be done when abnormal cells that may be cancerous are detected. Women should start having pap smears within three years of becoming sexually active or by the age of 21 years old. Once a woman turns 30 years old her risks decrease for developing cervical cancer and after three negative pap smears, they can be done every two to three years. Between the ages of 65-70 years old, after three negative pap smears, a woman no longer needs to have pap smears done. Women who have had a total hysterectomy for a benign disease do not need to have a pap smear done.

A pap smear cannot be done if a woman is menstruating. Before a pap smear it is recommended a woman should avoid the following:

•    Douching
•    Tampons
•    Vaginal creams, medication, and suppositories
•    Vaginal deodorant (all types)
•    Sexual intercourse

A pelvic exam and breast exam are often done during the same office visit as a pap smear is done. While lying on the exam table, the woman will put her feet in stirrups so that the health care professional can insert an instrument that is called a speculum into the vagina to open it to see the cervix. A lubricant is used to avoid discomfort. A special stick or brush is used to remove some cells from inside the cervix (this may cause discomfort) and the edge of the cervix. The cells are placed on a glass slide and examined by a lab to determine if there are any abnormal cells.

Relaxing as much as possible during the procedure can decrease discomfort. Slowly exhaling can help. Reminding yourself it doesn’t take long will help. Most women will find the procedure is over before they know it. Women who are the victims of rape or incest should discuss having a pelvic exam and pap smear with their therapist, counselor, and/or health care professional ahead of time.

It usually takes about three weeks to get the results of a pap smear back. Abnormal cells or a problem with the Pap smear does not mean the woman has cancer of the cervix. The first step will be to re-do the Pap smear. The test is not perfect and some women will get a false positive, meaning there are no abnormal cells. If there still appears to be abnormal cells, further tests will be done. Sometimes the cervix is inflamed due to infection and may cause an abnormal result.

Usually a Pap smear will come out negative and most women have nothing to be concerned about.