Getting A Pap Smear

Smear test for cancer of the cervix in women. They can help determine if you are more at risk for cancer of the cervix as well. When doctors perform pap smears, they collect cervical cells for testing.

Your neck is a few inches inside your vagina. You will be asked to undress completely or from the size of the procedure. A speculum is inserted so that your doctor can more easily access your cervix. cell samples are taken with a small brush or spatula. This is usually painless and is often undetectable by the patient.

A Pap smear allows your doctor to find precancerous or cancerous cells. Early detection is useful when the treatment of cervical cancer and can greatly improve your chances of beating this disease. A Pap smear allows your doctor to initiate treatment of precancerous cells or unusual. This can help prevent cancer development.

In addition to the Pap smear, your doctor will usually also do a pelvic exam. It is essentially a review of the anatomy of your genitalia, uterus, vagina and ovaries. Your doctor will feel for abnormalities during this review.

It is recommended that you have an annual Pap test after reaching adulthood. If abnormalities are suspected, you may need one hour in your adolescence. If consistent results are normal, your doctor may recommend that you only have a Pap test every two to three years. If abnormalities are detected, it can be recommended that you have more frequent testing. You may also need more frequent testing if you have immune problems such as HIV.

While very few abnormal cells are present, they may not be detected in the Pap smear. Cervical cancer develops over many years, it will probably be noticed in the Pap smear following inconsequential. This is another reason it is important to regularly get your smear done.

Before going to the OB / GYN of your Pap test, there are some steps you should take. Do not have sex for two to three days before the test. Do not use any type of medication vaginal lubricants or spermicidal products during this time either. Douching can also affect the results of your test. In general, anything you insert or use vaginally for two or three days before your Pap test can take away or obscure abnormal cells that would otherwise have been detected.