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  • Pap smears are the leading preventative measure taken against cervical cancer. Doctors recommend annual pap tests for women between the ages of 21 and 30, and testing every two or three years for women over 30 who have received healthy results for three consecutive years.

    Purpose

    Pap tests are pre-emptive examinations of the vagina and cervix used to detect abnormal cells that may indicate the presence of an infection, such as human papillomavirus, or the onset of cervical cancer.

    Procedure

    A doctor uses a speculum to spread the vaginal walls, and then collects cells from the tissue of the cervix and vagina with a small brush. The cell sample is sent to a specialist, treated with dye known as pap stain, and examined for irregularities.

    Results

    Negative results mean that there are no abnormal cells. A positive test indicates that there are abnormal cells due to infection, inflammation, temporary irritation, or cancerous growth. Doctors refer to an established classification list when reviewing results. In some cases, changes in cell growth will be repaired naturally, while others are determined to be pre-cancerous.

    Considerations

    The accuracy of a pap test can be affected by several factors, such as recent sexual activity, vaginal bleeding, douching, or the use of vaginal sprays and tampons before the examination.

    Alternatives

    If the initial pap smear returns abnormal or unclear results, physicians typically repeat the test or administer more accurate methods of viewing and sampling cells, such as a colposcopy or an endocervical curettage.

    Benefits

    During the period of 1955 to 1992, deaths caused by cervical cancer were reduced by approximately 74 percent.

    Source:

    Imaginis: Pap Smear

    Women's Health: Pap Test

    Lab Tests Online: Pap Smear

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