Cervical Pap Smears: What’s Really Going on Down There

By Avanti Vadivelu
 
If you’re a woman, the term “Pap smear” is nothing new. It’s a routine test you most likely partake in each year during your annual OB/GYN appointment. But what does a Pap smear truly test for? Just how important is it? Well, it’s incredibly important, and could even help save your life. 
 
Pap smears, otherwise known as a Pap test, tests for cervical cancer among women. According to www.imaginis.com, a leading women’s health online resource, about 50 million Pap smears are performed each year in the United States. Thanks in large part to Pap smears, the death rate from cervical cancer has declined dramatically since 1955 (74% from 1955 to 1992). When detected early through Pap smears, the five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is approximately 91%.  If a Pap smear detects cervical cancer before it has invaded any surrounding tissues, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%.
 
Pap smears reveal any abnormal (cancerous or pre-cancerous) cervical or vaginal cells. Most abnormal Pap smears are caused by cervical infections (including the human papillomavirus, or HPV) or inflammation which can usually be successfully treated before leading to cancer. So while abnormal Pap smear results may cause you to feel anxious or nervous, it’s important to realize that this detection could help you either treat or even avoid a deadly disease altogether. Further, treatment for early abnormal cervical or vaginal cell detection is usually a relatively minor outpatient procedure that will not affect your everyday life. Pap smears among pregnant women can also help reveal whether a fetus has any genetic defects, such as Downs syndrome, and are much safer to the fetus than other more invasive procedures. All in all, a simple Pap test once a year is a small price to pay for your, and your baby’s, good health and lifespan.
 
Who should get a Pap smear?
Any woman who is sexually active, or 18 years of age or older (whichever comes first). Generally it is recommended -as stated earlier- that every woman get tested once a year. These guidelines may depend on a woman’s Pap smear result history, or whether she is being treated for other serious illnesses such as HIV or various types of cancer.
 
How is a Pap smear taken?
According to www.mayoclinic.com, your doctor will gently insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum holds the walls of the vagina apart so that your doctor can easily see your cervix. Inserting the speculum may cause sensation of pressure in your pelvic area. Sometimes the speculum feels cold when it's first inserted. Then your doctor will take samples of your cervical cells using a soft brush and a flat scraping device called a spatula. This doesn't hurt and you may not even feel the sample being taken. The whole procedure may take only a few minutes.
 
How long does it take to retrieve Pap smear results?
The turnaround time is usually 24 hours.
 
What does the Pap smear NOT test for?
-Ovarian Cancer
- Most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
 
Having regular Pap smears should be part of your overall preventative health care, which includes routine mammograms (see previous MyHealthGate.com article: “Mammograms – Why YOU Should Get Tested Now”). Taking the proper steps today can truly help you live a healthier life tomorrow.