Pap Smear
It's recommended for ladies aged 21 and up to start getting their pap smears (Pap Test) done every 3 years on average.
Overview of Pap Smear & Cervical Cancer Screening
Ladies, or any human with a vagina and/or cervix really, would frequently find ourselves being asked at the doctor's, have you had a pap smear done recently? Are you sexually active?
Have you been vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)? WHY?
Why do all the doctors keep asking us such questions whenever we attend a health screening session or a sexual health consult session? Well, that's because they all have one particular condition in mind when it comes to people with a vagina and/or cervix - Cervical Cancer.
Cervical Cancer is One of the Most Common Cancers in Women
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and develops in the cervix, the entrance connecting the vagina to the uterus.
Even though it is still not too clear what actually causes cervical cancer, we can be sure that the HPV is a contributing factor, in fact, most cervical cancer cases are related to being infected with the high-risk strains of the HPV, typically through sexual contact.
What You Need to Know about HPV Vaccination
And for your information, HPV can also cause warts, penile cancer, anal cancer, neck cancer, etc., HPV vaccination is for both men and women.
This will help men who are potentially exposed to HPV to help reduce the risk of cervical cancer of their female partners. This will help men who are potentially exposed to HPV to help reduce the risk of cervical cancer are other HPV-related complications to their female partners and vis-à-vis.
It is estimated that 8 out of 10 people will get HPV at some point in their lifetime. HPV infection has no cure. HPV vaccination is one of the best ways to help reduce the risk of HPV infection.
Our Centre carries only 9-valent vaccine - Protects against HPV type 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58.
In Short, they help prevent men and women from:
- Genital warts
- Oral, anal, and penile cancer
- Cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer
What To Expect When You See our Doctors
So how do we know whether we have cervical cancer, or not? This is when the doctor would ask, "When was the last time you've had your pap smear done?" and then proceeds to recommend a pap smear if you reply more than 3 years ago or "What is that?" with a blank look.
A pap smear is a screening procedure for cervical cancer which involves collecting some cells from the cervix. This specimen is then sent to the lab where it is examined for any abnormal changes in the cells under a microscope.
When Should You Get a Pap Smear Done?
In your 20s
Generally, it's recommended for ladies aged 21 and up to start getting their pap smears done every 3 years on average. (Fun fact: If you are a virgin, you can also consider getting tested even though the risk is extremely low as contracting HPV is NOT the only way of developing cervical cancer.) If there are abnormal findings or certain risk factors, then the doctors will probably recommend more frequent testing.
In your 30s
From age 30, doctors will also recommend an additional HPV test to pap smear (not to worry, it's still the same specimen, there's no extra procedure for this additional test!) every 5 years to detect the presence of the virus, especially the high-risk strains 16 and 18 which are responsible for an estimated 70% of cervical cancers. (Fun fact there are more than 100 HPV strains known to date.
In your 60s
When you reach about age 65 and have a chat with your doctor again, he or she might even say that you probably no longer require any more pap smear if all your previous tests generated normal findings AND you've stopped being sexually active. Talk to your doctor in detail to determine if there's a need.
If you've had a total hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix, there's also a possibility that you might not need to proceed with any more routine pap smears, again, have a chat with your doctor about it. There are still certain risk factors that might still warrant continued routine testing.
So How Should We Go About Preparing for the Pap Smear?
- Avoid any form of vaginal intercourse (including toys) at least 2 days prior to the appointment
- Avoid using any vaginal pessaries, spermicidal foam/gels/creams at least 2 days prior to the appointment
- Postpone your appointment if you are having your period
What to Expect from the Pap Smear Procedure?
The doctor will then insert a lubricated speculum into your vagina to hold the vaginal walls apart for a clearer view of the cervix and to allow a visual examination as well. There might be some discomfort during the insertion due to the sensation of pressure, try to relax as much as possible!
A cytobrush (it's just a brush really, bristles are rather soft at that) is then inserted and rotated several times on the cervix to collect the cervical cells, removed, and dunked into a special solution which will then be sent to the lab for further analysis. The speculum will then be removed and you'll be told to dress up.
The procedure ends here. You're free to go about your activities, with no restrictions!
How Long Do I Need to Wait for My Pap Smear Result?
The results should generally be available in about 2 working days, if there are any abnormalities the doctor might suggest a follow-up pap smear sooner than the average routine test, or even other procedures like colposcopy.
Have a private discussion with our doctor about your concerns at our clinic.