When it comes to your well-being, a Pap smear is key to preventing cervical cancer. It’s extremely important to understand how it can benefit you at different stages of your life. Schedule with LoneTree OB/GYN & Midwives today if you’re due or haven’t had a Pap in recent years.
What Is a Pap Smear?
A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is a cervical cancer screening. Pap smears check for inflammation, infections, and abnormal cells on the cervix that are cancerous or are potentially cancerous, making this procedure a key preventive service. During the procedure, which is usually performed at the same time as a pelvic exam, your healthcare provider takes cells from your cervix to examine under the microscope.
Recommendations for Pap smears may vary depending on your age:
- 21 to 29 years old: Gynecologists recommend getting your first Pap smear at age 21, and to repeat the test every three years. Co-testing with an HPV test is recommended for those above the age of 25.
- 30 to 60 years old: Co-testing of Pap smears along with an HPV test and pelvic exam is recommended for women above 30 years old every five years.
- After 65 years old: For older women, it is recommended to stop your Pap smears, depending on your health history and risk factors.
About Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the development of an uncontrolled growth of cells in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. There are about 100 strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) but twelve strains are the cause behind many cases of cervical cancer, as it’s a common sexually transmitted infection that may survive in a patient’s body for years and contribute to the cervical cells becoming cancerous. In its early stages cervical cancer doesn’t doesn’t manifest symptoms so it can be hard to detect, however, in the later stages it often shows up with the following symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding post-intercourse.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Watery vaginal discharge that often comes mixed with blood and has a strong odor.
- Pelvic pain during intercourse.
Understanding Your Pap Smear Results
After your Pap smear, you might get one out of three types of results: normal, abnormal and unsatisfactory. Depending on which result you get, your doctor will determine if you’re in need of further examination, more tests and appointments. Below, we explain what each result means for patients:
Normal Pap Smear Results
Normal Pap smear results show that there are no changes in your cervix cells during the screening, indicating that they are healthy. Your risk for developing cervical cancer remains low, but routine checkups may still be necessary, as cells may change with time.
Unsatisfactory Pap Smear Results
Unsatisfactory results may mean that your cells couldn’t be evaluated due to an insufficient collection, the presence of blood or mucus on the cells, inflammation or technical mistakes when administering the test. Normally, your gynecologist may require you to repeat the test within 2 to 4 months later to ensure your cells are regenerated.
Abnormal Pap Smear Results
Getting abnormal results doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cervical cancer, but it does mean that some of your cells were different from the others. Abnormal Pap smear results can be divided into these categories:
- Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance: the most common abnormal result among patients, ASC-US normally indicates an HPV infection.
- Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion: this result often means that the cell changes are mildly abnormal, it is usually caused by an HPV infection and may go away by itself.
- High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion: An HSIL result indicates that there are severe changes in the cervix cells and a high risk of precancer or cervical cancer if left untreated.
- Atypical Glandular Cells: AGC indicates an abnormal state of the glandular cells, which make up the tissue that covers the inner canal of the cervix, indicating the presence of precancer or cervical cancer. Doctors often recommend immediate further evaluation and tests such as a colposcopy.
Is The Procedure Uncomfortable?
During a Pap smear, the doctor will insert a speculum into the vagina to open access to the cervix, which might cause discomfort but commonly does not result in pain. After using the speculum, a small brush is used to collect the cells needed for analysis. While most patients only feel a slight pressure during the procedure, some that present signs of anxiety, vaginal dryness or cervix position may feel discomfort.
What Are The Following Steps After Getting Abnormal Results?
Getting abnormal results may not always mean that you have cervical cancer, but following the post-care recommendations from your healthcare provider is always important. In addition to your current Pap screening result, your doctor may advise you these testings:
- HPV test or HPV/Pap co-test in 1 or 3 years
- Colposcopy
- Biopsy
- Receive treatment for high-grade cervical cell changes
Reasons To Get A Pap Smear
- Paps save lives. Cervical cancer grows slowly so it’s treatable and curable if caught early.
- Most insurances cover this test as it is preventive.
- Pap smears only take a few minutes and results come back quickly.
About Lone Tree’s Mission
Lone Tree OB/GYN & Midwives is a full-service obstetrics and gynecology office with a team of highly regarded providers recognized throughout the Castle Rock, Colorado, community for their exceptional care.