Pap Smears
A Pap smear is a routine test to check for early signs of cervical cancer. It involves collecting cells from the cervix – the area at the very top of the vagina. The process takes just a few seconds and is known for being painless.
Why is it important to get a Pap smear?
Not all cancers can be caught and treated early. Fortunately, cervical cancer is one of the ones that can. Pap smears have been used since the 1950s to detect cervical cancer when it is in very early stages so that you can be treated right away.
Before Pap smears became common, it’s estimated that around 35 per 100,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Now, that number is down to about 7 per 100,000 women, and the survival rate is much higher too.
So it is important to get regular Pap smears to make sure that, if any abnormal cells develop in your cervix, you and your doctor can catch them before they become cancerous.
How often should I get a Pap smear?
You should get your first Pap smear when you begin to be sexually active or when you are 21 years old—whichever comes first.
Once you have begun testing, the general recommendations for Pap smears are:
Women aged 21 to 30 should get one every 3 years
Women over 30 should get one and/or test for HPV every 5 years
Women over 65 can generally stop getting Pap smears
What does it mean when a Pap smear is “abnormal?”
Your doctor at Summit Women’s Health will talk you through the results of your Pap smear and answer any questions you may have. In general, a Pap smear either comes back as “normal” or “abnormal.”
The “abnormal” result indicates that there are some cells in the cervix that look, well, not normal. This does not mean they are cancerous, but this is exactly what this test is for. Your doctor will use the results and potentially some additional tests to talk you through next steps.
In many cases, the body will actually get rid of the abnormal cells on its own, so your doctor may recommend just keeping an eye on the situation by getting another Pap smear in about a year. In other cases, your doctor may recommend a short procedure to remove some tissue from the cervix. Either way, chances are very high that an abnormal result will be resolved and turn out just fine.
To learn more about Pap smears or to book an appointment at Summit Women’s Health with Brandon M. Lingenfelter, DO, PhD; Megan Lingenfelter, PA; Sam Snyder, DO; or Valeah Bradshaw, NP, call us at (681) 282-5591 or book an appointment online.