Health Alert – Guides for your Health

Pap smear, also called pap test is a test usually done by gynecologists or ob-gyn for signs of cancer of the cervix. During pap smear, the ob-gyn will get a sample of cells from the cervix in order to be examined and tested. To get the sample, the doctor used the instrument called speculum into the vagina.  This instrument helps to open the vagina.  The doctor will gently clean the cervix with a cotton swab and then collect a sample of cells with a small brush, a tiny spatula or a cotton swab.  This sample is put on a glass slide and sent to a lab to be checked under microscope. It is only takes for a few minutes without any drug or anesthetics.

The results of the pap smear are not usually available for several days but the doctor or nurse will contact the patient when the results are available and advise if she should return in the near future for follow up testing.

When cell from the cervix looks good the pap smear is normal and nothing to worry but if the cell is not good, a repeat pap smear is necessary. Abnormal pap smear is not necessary mean that cancer cells are found during the examination. The doctor will evaluate the results to determine if further testing is necessary.

Gynecologists agree that

1. All women should have their first pap smear when they become sexually active or at age whichever occurs first.
2. Every woman should have a yearly pap smear for the following two years.
3. Later tests should be administered at the doctor’s discretion if the first three pap smear are negative.

October 12th, 2008 | Tags: cancer cervix, pap smear, pap test | Category: Womens Health | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL