PAP SMEAR Near Me

A Pap smear is a medical test that is used to check for cervical cancer in women on a regular basis. Knowing more about Pap tests and where to get them can help you avoid or detect cervical cancer early, allowing you to receive treatment.

Pap smear overview

A Pap smear is a cervical cancer screening test for women. This test comprises obtaining a sample of cervix cells and evaluating them for cancer signs, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM). If you have precancerous cells on your cervix, you can work with your doctor to prevent or cure cervical cancer. A Pap smear is also known as a Papanicolaou test or Pap smear test, according to the National Library of Medicine.

Pap smear (Pap test): What to expect

A Pap smear is a test that checks for cervical cancer and precancerous cells in the cervix. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical precancers (HPV).

Pap exams are recommended for women between the ages of 21 and 65, according to the DHHS. Women should undergo a Pap smear every three to five years, or as often as their doctors recommend, depending on their age.

A Pap test is usually performed during a pelvic exam or a well-woman exam at your doctor's office. Your doctor will usually ask you to strip down to your underwear, lie down on an exam table, and place your hands on your hips.

Who needs a Pap smear?

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, most women between the ages of 21 and 65 should receive a Pap smear. It is recommended that a woman have frequent Pap screenings even if she is not sexually active, has had the HPV vaccine, or has previously gone through menopause.

How often do you need a Pap smear?

If you're between the ages of 21 and 29, the DHHS recommends receiving a Pap smear test every three years. The DHHS recommends getting a Pap smear every three years or a Pap and HPV co-test every five years if you're between the ages of 30 and 65.

The DHHS recommends getting a Pap test if you're over 65 and have never been tested, or if you haven't been checked since you turned 60.

How to prepare for a Pap smear

According to the National Library of Medicine, tampons, sex, douching, and vaginal creams or birth control foams should all be avoided two to three days before your Pap smear. Getting your Pap smear on a day when you aren't expected to have your period is also a smart option. Aside from these procedures, the National Library of Medicine states that no extra preparation is required for a Pap smear.

What happens during a Pap smear?

To begin, your doctor will ask you to remove your clothes and lie down on an exam table in your underwear. Your doctor will then use a speculum to open the walls of your vaginal canal, providing your doctor a clear view of your cervix, according to the University of Utah.

Your doctor will insert a long swab into your vaginal canal and gently brush it against your cervix to obtain a sample of cells. Your cell sample will be taken to a lab where it will be analyzed and checked for the presence of precancerous cells and cervical cancer, according to the University of Utah.

Most women have little to no discomfort during a Pap smear, according to the National Library of Medicine, but some women have considerable difficulty.

What do the results of a Pap smear mean?

A Pap smear's results can be normal or abnormal. The NLMl makes a point. Your doctor will contact you when your results are ready to discuss them.

Normal Pap smear

A normal Pap test, according to the National Library of Medicine, indicates that the cells in your cervix have been proven to be normal and that no precancers or cervical cancer symptoms have been identified. In most circumstances, your doctor will suggest you to return for another routine visit in three to five years.

Abnormal Pap smear

An abnormal Pap test, according to the National Library of Medicine, means that abnormalities were discovered in your cervical cell sample. This may not necessarily indicate that you have cervical cancer. Your doctor may propose additional tests or therapies to prevent your cell abnormalities from advancing to cancer, according to the National Library of Medicine.

How accurate are the results?

The Pap test is not 100 percent accurate, according to the National Library of Medicine, and cervical cancer can be missed in a small number of cases. If you're on your menstruation, you should avoid taking this test because blood could alter the results.

Does a Pap smear test for HPV?

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, a Pap smear test does not detect HPV. However, it does screen for abnormal cervical cells, which may be caused by HPV. The DHHS recommends having a routine HPV test if you're 30 or older.