He Pap smear, also called PAP vaginal cytology is an examination which allows the detection of abnormal cells in the cervix, which could cause cervical cancer. This test is performed during a painless gynecological examination and It is very quick to perform. The Pap test is an examination that aims to reduce the mortality rate and incidence of cervical cancer through the early detection of this disease.
Why is it called a Papanicolaou test?
George Nicholas Papanicolaou identified in the early 1940s cancer cells in samples taken from the vagina, hence the so-called cytological test o Pap smear test (PAP) this method has since been effective for the early detection of cervical cancer.
How is it done?
For this procedure, the patient lies down in the gynecological position, and the health professional inserts a plastic or metal speculum into the vagina to keep it open and visualize the cervix. Then, using a small spatula and brush, a sample of cells and mucus from the cervix is obtained with a light scraping and will be sent for analysis.
Exam preparation
Questions that need to be asked
It is important for the gynecology specialist to know if the patient is taking medication And what these are (some birth control pills containing estrogen or progesterone can affect test results), you should also know if you have previously had an abnormal result in a Pap smear test, or if she is pregnant.
In addition, the patient
- You must not have performed vaginal douches nor employ vaginal deodorants.
- Not having sex during the 48 hours prior to the exam.
- Do not use tampons before 24 hours prior to the exam.
- Do not use topical treatments 5 or 7 days before the exam (vaginal suppositories, spermicides or vaginal creams)
- It should not be scheduled during the menstrual period., The test should be done 3 or 4 days after your period (blood can make the test results less accurate). If you are experiencing unexpected bleeding, do not cancel the test; the specialist will determine whether or not the test can be performed.
- Not having performed a transvaginal ultrasound 48 hours prior to the exam
What results can it yield?
The result of this test may be normal. That is, normal cervical cells. When it is abnormal, it means that the cells are altered and may reflect a premalignant lesion of the cervix or cells compatible with cervical cancer.
This test is not 100% accurate; cervical cancer can be missed in a small number of cases. In most cases, the cancer develops very slowly, and regular check-ups should detect any changes in time for treatment.
The PAP is designed to detect lesions of the external part of the cervix, But it can also detect abnormalities in the internal part of the cervix and, occasionally, can show abnormal cells that are related to endometrial and fallopian tube cancer.
When a The result is altered, The patient should be referred to a cervical pathology unit or a gynecologic oncologist in order to conduct a more specific study of the cervix and, eventually, take cervical biopsies, which will confirm the diagnosis and allow for deciding on the treatments to be performed.
Time between one cytology test and another
- Screening tests should begin at age 21.
- They must be done annually..Eventually, after three normal Pap smears, it could be performed every 3 years.
- If you are over 30 and the results are normal, they can be repeated every 5 years.
- After the age of 65 to 70, women can stop getting tested if the tests performed in the last 10 years have been negative.
- If you have had a total hysterectomy, you do not need to have a Pap test.
Are some women more prone to developing cervical cancer?
There are risk factors that increase the possibility of developing cervical cancer, These include sexual promiscuity, early initiation of sexual activity, cigarette smoking, and diseases or drugs that decrease women's immunity.
The Pap smear has been the best health strategy for reducing the risk of cancer, yet the percentage of women who get it is low. Other preventive checkups you should consider.
Conclusions
Is it important to have a Pap smear? Yes, it's very important, for all the reasons mentioned above. Our goal at the clinic is to educate you about this, encourage you to have this gynecological check-up regularly, and promote prevention as a key way for our community to have the quality of life it deserves. Learn about our laboratory service.
