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1. What is a pap smear?
A pap smear is a laboratory screening procedure used in identifying women who are at a higher risk of getting cervical cancer. This method is also called a pap test and involves collection of cells from the cervix (narrow part at the lower end of the uterus).
2. Are there any other tests done with pap smear?
The pap smear is usually done along with a pelvic exam. In women who are above the age of 30, the pap test may be used in conjunction with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection that can result in cervical cancer.
3. Who should frequently take pap smear?
Pap smear test should be done more often by women who have:
been diagnosed with cervical cancer or a pap smear showed precancerous cells
been exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
got HIV infection
a weak immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic use of corticosteroid
a history of smoking
4. Can I stop pap smear if I had a total hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus along with the cervix by surgery. Consult your doctor if you have to take pap test anymore. Usually, if your hysterectomy was due to a cancerous or precancerous condition, your doctor may recommend continuing with pap testing to look for relapse.
5. Do I need to continue with pap testing if I am 70 years old?
Doctors generally tell their patients to stop routine pap smear if they are above 65 years of age and all the previous tests showed negative results. However, if they still have sexual intercourse, it is better to continue with pap smear screening despite the age.
Name | Speciality | Recommended By | Review Count | Years of Experience |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Roopa Ghanta | Gynecologist/Obstetrician | 88% | 93 | 29 |
Dr. K. Suma | Gynecologist/Obstetrician | 93% | 166 | 36 |
Dr. Prashant Hegde | Laparoscopic Surgeon | 96% | 122 | 23 |
Dr. Ramesh Vasudevan | Laparoscopic Surgeon | 95% | 16 | 26 |
Dr. G V Somayajulu | Laparoscopic Surgeon | 100% | 1 | 40 |
Dr. Sanjeev Singh Yadav | Laparoscopic Surgeon | 93% | 66 | 36 |
Dr. Sudheer Moodadla | Laparoscopic Surgeon | 100% | 3 | 15 |
Dr. Nandakishore Dukkipati | Laparoscopic Surgeon | 100% | 31 | 30 |
Dr. Rehan Sabir Momin | Laparoscopic Surgeon | 98% | 5 | 21 |
Dr. Chandana Lakkireddi | Gynecologist/Obstetrician | 98% | 95 | 23 |
Pap Smear is also known as Pap Test and is a screening test usually done to detect cervical cancer. This test is done to check the presence of cancerous or pre-cancerous tissues or cells on the cervix (opening of the uterus). The cells from the cervix are gently scraped and given for examination during the Pap Smear. This test is to be done at the doctor’s office. Pap Smear might cause mild discomfort as the instruments are inserted through the vagina but generally doesn’t cause any long-term pain.
Frequency of getting a Pap Smear depends on the age and risks:
Women who have undergone a hysterectomy and don’t have a history of cervical cancer need not go for Pap Smear.
There are two possible outcomes of the test:
If the test result is abnormal that doesn’t mean that the condition will be life-threatening. There are several levels of abnormal cells such as:
Depending on the test results, the doctor might advise getting Pap Smear more frequently and to get closer look colposcopy and biopsy can also be advised.