Cancer is a condition that everyone dreads. This overabundance of abnormal cells can form tumors in just about every part of your body. Each year there are 1.9 million new cases of cancer and almost half a million people die from some type of cancer.
For many women, this means dealing with one of six types of gynecological cancers that cause 100,000 more cases every year. Cervical cancer is one of these illnesses, with 14,000 new cases and 4,000 deaths annually.
Pap tests or smears are an important diagnostic tool for diagnosing cervical cancer in women. If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area and you need a Pap smear or other diagnostic screenings for your reproductive health, Dr. Staci McHale and her dedicated team at New Beginnings OB-GYN can help.
During a Pap test your provider scrapes cell samples from your cervix to test for precancerous or other abnormal cells that can indicate the early signs of cervical cancer. During the procedure, you lie down in stirrups while your provider places a speculum in your vagina to provide access to your cervix.
Your provider obtains a sample using either a spatula, brush, or a cytobrush during which you may feel some irritation and a slight push.
Mild discomfort, cramping, and slight bleeding are possible side effects, but they are generally short-lived. The results can come back as either normal or abnormal, but it’s important to remember abnormal results don’t automatically mean cancer. It may simply indicate a false positive or the need for further testing to determine the reason for abnormal results.
This exam tests for different types of cervical cancer, including atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), squamous intraepithelial lesions, squamous cell cancer, or adenocarcinoma cells. It can also test for atypical glandular cells, but it’s unclear whether or not they’re cancerous.
This test can also detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (cervical dysplasia), which are potentially precancerous cancer cells as well as human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that can increase your risk of cervical cancer.
The frequency of Pap tests depends on your age, as the risk factors change over time:
These timeframes may change if you have HIV, a weakened immune system, a history of cervical cancer, or you were exposed to diethylstilbestrol before birth.
Getting regular Pap tests means staying aware of your risks for cervical cancer, and getting treatment as early as possible if there is any evidence. If you think you may have some form of cervical cancer, or you need to come in for a Pap test, make an appointment with Dr. McHale and her team at New Beginnings OB-GYN today.
