Family Doc.
July 2020
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PAP SMEAR:
TEST LOOKS FOR PRESENCE OF PREC ANCER OUS CELLS
MOST CERVICAL CANCERS CAN BE DETECTED EARLY IF A WOMAN HAS ROUTINE PAP TESTS.
By Shelby Riggs, APRN, Family Practice Associates of Lexington, P.S.C.
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Pap smear is a procedure that screens for cervical cancer. Most women should start getting Pap smears at age 21 years and every three years after. It should be a part of your annual physical exam. The test looks for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix, the opening of the uterus or womb. During the procedure, cells from the cervix are scraped away. It is not painful and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. You may bleed a little after the test is completed. Tell your doctor if discomfort or bleeding continues the day after the test. Most cervical cancers can be detected early if a woman has routine Pap tests. This means treatment can start before the cancer spreads and becomes a
serious problem. The Pap test also screens for human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer. All sexually active women are at risk for contracting HPV. HPV types 16 and 18 are the primary causes of cervical cancer. The HPV virus can lie dormant for years and then suddenly become active. If you have HPV, you may have an increased risk for developing cervical cancer. The Pap smear does not detect other sexually transmitted diseases. To prepare for your Pap smear, do not have sexual intercourse, douche or use spermicides the day before your test. Let your doctor know if you are menstruating; this may affect your results, so you may need to reschedule your test. Relax by taking deep breaths as your doctor slowly inserts a device called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum keeps the vaginal walls open and provides access to the cervix so your doctor can collect the
necessary cell samples from it. The samples are sent to the lab to be tested for the presence of abnormal cells. If your results are normal, this means no abnormal cells were found. Abnormal test results do not mean you have cancer. It only means abnormal cells were found on your cervix, and some of them could be precancerous. Your doctor may recommend doing a colposcopy to take a closer look at your cervical tissue. During a colposcopy, your doctor will use light and magnification to see the vaginal and cervical tissues more clearly. In some cases, your doctor may also take a sample of your cervical tissue to do a biopsy. For patients over age 30, if you have HPV testing done and both the Pap test and HPV test are normal, you can be tested every five years. You may need more frequent Pap smears if you are HIV positive or if your immune system has been weakened by chemotherapy. You may not need to have a Pap test if you have had a total hysterectomy.
Women over the age of 65 years who have had three negative tests within the past 10 years may be able to stop having Pap smears. Be sure to discuss stopping with your primary care physician. About the Author
Shelby Riggs is originally from Northern Kentucky, but has resided in Richmond, Kentucky for many years. After working for nearly 10 years as a hospital RN, Shelby decided to further her education and graduated as a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner in August 2017 from Indiana Wesleyan University. Shelby’s experience in pediatrics and endocrinology and her personality make her an excellent fit for FPA. She enjoys women’s health and pediatric issues but can see any patient from child to adult. She is available for new patient, well-child and preventive adult visits, as well as routine office visits.
ABOUT FAMILY PRACTICE ASSOCIATES OF LEXINGTON TWO LOCATIONS: 1775 Alysheba Way, Ste. 201 and 615 East Brannon Road, Ste. 100 • 859.278.5007 • www.fpalex.com Proudly serving Kentucky for over 35 years, Family Practice Associates of Lexington is a group of primary care providers who are dedicated to giving family-centered care from birth to later years.
