According to the American Cancer Society, the pap smear procedure has decreased cervical cancer deaths by nearly 74% over the past 50 years. It enables the early identification of cancer (or precancer), allowing for prompt treatment. Although it is far more common than it used to be, many people are still unsure what a pap smear is, how it works, its benefits, and other important information about it. This review goes over common and important questions that people have about pap smears.
The following reviews several common questions that OBGYN specialists receive about pap smear tests. These specialists are often asked about who needs a pap smear test, how the test is performed, and how long it takes to receive results, among other queries.
A pap smear is a testing procedure performed by a medical professional. It tests for precancerous and cancerous conditions in the cervix. The test itself involves removing a minor amount of cervical tissue, which is tested for cancerous cells (or precancerous conditions).
A pap smear is encouraged for anyone with a cervix who is over the age of 18, especially those who are sexually active. Those who smoke, have used birth control for five years or more, have given birth three or more times, have several sexual partners, or have HIV may be at a slightly higher risk of cervical cancer. Patients should talk to their OBGYN specialist about how often a pap smear procedure is recommended. As a general rule, they are encouraged annually. However, your doctor may not recommend them quite as often (or may recommend them more frequently than once per year), depending on the patient’s risk factors and medical history.
A pap smear involves the insertion of a medical device known as a speculum into the patient’s vagina; this enables the doctor to get a clear view of the cervix. A small sample of cervical cells is taken for testing. It is a relatively painless process with essentially no required recovery time or negative side effects. It is normal for patients to feel uncomfortable with their first pap smear. It may help patients to discuss their feelings with their doctor, who likely performs pap smear tests regularly.
Most pap smear results should be ready within two weeks, and some patients even receive their results within a couple of days. The time that it takes to get the results largely depends on the laboratory testing the cervical tissue. The doctor should provide the patient with a more precise timeline as to when to expect a call about the results.
If abnormalities are found in a pap smear, that does not necessarily indicate cervical cancer, although it is a possibility. In most cases, the doctor will recommend that the patient come back in for a visit. They may then perform an HPV test to determine if the abnormality is related to a virus rather than cancer. If the abnormalities are not related to any other conditions, the doctor may perform additional testing to confirm or rule out cervical cancer.
The process for an HPV test and the one for a pap smear test are similar, but they are different in their purposes and the results that they show. A pap smear is used to determine if there are cellular abnormalities, while an HPV test is used to determine if there are high-risk viruses, especially HPV.
A pap smear is not painful, although it may cause the patient to feel uncomfortable, especially if it is their first time receiving the test.
The most significant risk of skipping pap smears is the development of cervical cancer (or other conditions that can cause cellular abnormalities in the cervix) that goes undetected and subsequently, untreated. Early detection allows for a higher chance of successful treatment.
Here at our practice, we offer convenient and easy pap smear procedures. If you would like to learn more, have questions, and/or would like to schedule a visit for a pap smear, then get in touch with us today.
Get more information here: https://fresnoobgyn.com or call Camilla L. Marquez, MD at (559) 424-1180
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Pap Smear in Fresno, CA.
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