A pap smear, or pap test, is a quick, easy and pain-free examination to check for changes in the cells of the cervix. It is by a pap smear test if a woman can know if she has abnormal cervical cells, an infection or cervical cancer.
While lying on an exam table, the doctor puts a speculum into the vagina to open it to see the cervix. The speculum is the most uncomfortable part for most women. The doctor will then use a wand that looks like a mascara brush to scrape the inside of the cervix to gather some cells. The cells are put onto a slide and sent in for examination. Within three weeks, results will come back stating whether the cells are normal or abnormal.
Who, Why and When
It is important for all women to get a pap smear done once a year. The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends women 21 years of age and older and women under 21 years of age who have been sexually active for three or more years get a pap smear. Women over 65 who have had normal pap smear results may be told by their doctor they do not need to be tested anymore.
A pap smear is the best thing to do to help prevent cervical cancer. The number of cervical cancer cases and deaths have declined because of regular pap smear tests.
A pap smear should be scheduled 10 to 20 days after the first day of your last period. This is because many factors can result in wrong test results by washing away or hiding abnormal cells of the cervix. One of these factors is using tampons. Other factors include:
- douching
- using vaginal creams, suppositories and medicines
- using vaginal deodorant sprays or powders
- having sex
Results
Results usually come in three weeks and most come back normal. Doctors will usually not contact a woman if the test result is normal. If abnormal, the doctor will contact a woman to schedule more tests. Keep in mind, a pap smear is not always 100 percent correct. A false positive and false negative can happen. A false positive is when a woman is told she has abnormal cells, but the cells are actually healthy. A false negative is when the woman is told she has normal cells but they are actually abnormal.
An abnormal result usually means there is a small problem with the cervix. There is no need to worry about cervical cancer until later tests and results.
Most abnormal cells go away on their own. Some will turn into cancer but if treated quickly and properly, cervical cancer can be avoided.
If the result shows only a small change in the cervical cells, the doctor will repeat the pap smear. If there are serious changes in the cells, more powerful tests will be done including:
- Colposcopy: The doctor will see the cells of the vagina and cervix in detail by using a colposcope. A LUMA cervical imaging system may be used. This system helps the doctor see cervix areas that are likely to have precancerous cells.
- Endocervical curettage: A sample of cells from the endocervical canal will be taken by a curette (small spoon).
- Biospy: Doctor removes and sends to the lab a sample of cervical tissue.
