Skip to main content

Is Pap test necessary for me?


Q & A with Dr. Rani Bhat

Is Pap test necessary for me?



Yes, if you are sexually active then Pap test is necessary because a regular Pap test will prevent you from developing cervical cancer.

What is a Pap test?

  • Pap test is also known as Pap smear, is a screening procedure where the cervix is checked for any abnormalities. If these abnormal cells are not identified and treated then it can turn into cancer after a few years.
  • Cervix is the lowest part of the uterus. In this procedure, a speculum is gently inserted into the vagina and the cells lining the cervix are collected. These cell samples are then sent to the laboratory for examination.

Why do I need a Pap test?

  • Every sexually active women are at risk of developing cervical cancer, but it can be prevented by having a Pap smear test regularly. Pap smear test aids in the early detection of pre-cancerous cells. These cells have some changes but have not yet turned into cancer, hence called pre-cancerous or pre-invasive conditions. When the pre-cancerous condition is picked up on a Pap smear test and treated appropriately it helps in preventing cervical cancer. If we don't identify this condition then there is a risk of developing cervical cancer.

How often should I get the Pap tests?

  • The Pap test is recommended for all sexually active women.
  • The recommended age for undergoing the Pap test is at the age of 21 years or 3 years of being sexually active.
  • For women aged between 21 and 65, undergoing a Pap test every three years is recommended.
  • For women aged 30 to 65 years and those who wish to lengthen the screening interval then Pap test and HPV test is recommended every 5 years. HPV test is also an important test to check for HPV virus as this is the same virus that causes cervical cancer. After 65 years if you have had regular Pap test and all reports have been normal then you can stop going for Pap test.

Who does not need to get regular Pap tests?


Women with the following criteria need not undergo Pap test at regular intervals:
  • Women aged 65 and older with 3 negative results for the Pap test.
  • Women who have undergone hysterectomy and if they have had 2 negative co-test results in a row within the last 10 years or negative test results obtained within the last 5 years.
It is advised to discuss with your doctor before stopping your regular Pap tests.

Who needs Pap tests more often?


 Sometimes Pap and HPV test maybe required to be performed more frequently than the normal in some women because they are at higher risk of developing cancer such as,

  • Women with abnormal Pap test results and with a medical history of cervical cancer or precancerous cells.
  • HIV positive women. Women living with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) are at an increased risk of cervical cancer and other cervical diseases owing to their compromised immune system. HIV positive women are suggested to take a Pap test at the time of HIV diagnosis. The second Pap test (Or Pap test if older than 30) is done after 12 months followed by another Pap test after 6 months (depends on the doctor’s instructions). With 3 consecutive negative results for the Pap test, a follow-up of the Pap test every 3 years is advised.
  • Prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) i.e., daughters and granddaughters of women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) during their pregnancy. There is an increased risk of cervical cancer and other cancer on exposure to this synthetic hormone. Prevent cervical cancer by going for regular Pap smear test.

To know more, visit:
www.drranibhat.com

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Myths and facts about endometriosis

Myth:   Endometriosis can be easily diagnosed. Fact:   Endometriosis is not an easy diagnosis. In fact, endometriosis can be confused with other gynecological conditions.  Gold standard for diagnosis of endometriosis is surgery. Myth:   Endometriosis always manifests itself with bothersome symptoms. Fact:  Not all women with endometriosis will have severe symptoms. Myth:  Endometriosis prevents women from conceiving. Fact:   Around thirty percent of women suffering from endometriosis struggle to get pregnant. Proper management of endometriosis generally increases the chances of conception. Myth:  Endometriosis can be cured by pregnancy. Fact:  Pregnancy may also control endometriosis symptoms to some extent but it is temporary. Myth:  There is no treatment for endometriosis. Fact:   Endometriosis is easily treatable. There are two main modes of treatment medical and surgical management. Myth:  Hysterectomy cures endometriosis. Fact:   Simple hysterectomy wil
1 comment
Read more

How effective is HPV vaccination in preventing cancer?

Q & A with Dr. Rani Bhat How effective is HPV vaccination in preventing cancer? The human papillomavirus or HPV is the name given to a group of related viruses. There are more than a hundred types of HPVs and about forty of them are transmitted sexually. These viruses are generally divided into two groups known as low and high-risk types. The low-risk virus can cause genital warts and high-risk type causes various cancers of the reproductive organs, like cervical, vaginal, penile, vulvar, and anal and oropharyngeal cancers. Of the high-risk HPV, types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% cases of cervical cancers globally. What is HPV vaccination? Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that causes anogenital and oropharyngeal cancer in males and females. Vaccines have been developed to protect against acquiring HPV infection. There are three types of vaccination, which vary in the number of HPV types they contain and not all are avai
1 comment
Read more

Does Breast and Ovarian Cancer Run In Your Families?

  Recently I sent a WhatsApp poster message to my friends saying that October is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" and mentioned that if you have had ovarian cancer then you could be at risk of developing breast cancer or vice versa. One of my friend informed me that there is a request from his friend that they wanted to consult me.  I spoke to this young 40 year old lady who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years back and had undergone two surgeries and chemotherapy. During her routine follow-up she was advised to have genetic testing done and her BRCA1 turned out to be positive. Now, she was anxious if she would develop breast cancer and how can she reduce her risk. Does breast and ovarian cancer run in your family? Yes, if you have close relatives with history of breast or ovarian cancer then you may be at higher risk for developing these two cancers.  Draw your family health history tree and share this information with your doctor. This information could be your life s
1 comment
Read more