Cervical Cancer Awareness
Pap test is a screening test for cervical cancer. It is rapid and simple test that identifies for peculiar changes to cells of woman’s cervix (neck of womb) that may lead to cervical cancer.
What’s the need?
It is best screening method available for prevention of cervical cancer. Every woman between ages of 18-70 years who have ever been sexually active should have a pap test every 2 years. Usually it is started between 18-20 years of age or 1-2 years after starting of sexual activity. Since cervical cancer has been associated with sexual activity, women who have been celibate for long time may wrongfully believe that they no longer at risk. Rate of cervical abnormalities for homosexuals are similar to heterosexual women. Abnormal Pap test results have been found in women who reported no sexual history with men. Women who have never had genital skin to genital skin contact with anyone do not need Pap test.
How is Pap test done?
On the day of test doctor or nurse will ask you to undress from below waist. You are then asked to lie on your back or your side .You will be asked to bend your knees and doctor / nurse will insert an instrument called speculum into vagina. Speculum’s function is to hold walls of vagina away for better visualization of cervix. A spatula/brush is inserted through speculum to take swab from cervix. Speculum is removed and cells from cervix are smeared on glass slide and sprayed with solution. Results are available within 1 week of procedure.
What does abnormal Pap test result mean?
There are various stages of cervical cells before it becomes cancerous. An abnormal Pap test result means either a low grade abnormality or high grade abnormality. The women with low grade abnormalities will require next Pap test after a year. Women with high grade abnormalities need to undergo further testing like Colposcopy (magnified examination of cervical cell ) and Biopsy( small tissue taken from cervix).
What is the role of HPV vaccine in cervical cancer prevention?
Cervical cancer is almost always associated with Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) infection which is transmitted through genital skin –genital skin contact. There are more 200 types of HPV. Currently available vaccines for HPV do not protect against all types of HPV. Therefore all vaccinated and unvaccinated women still need regular Pap test.
What are the risk factors?
HPV infection of cervix
Smoking
Long term use of contraception ( 5 or more years)
Early age of first intercourse
Early age of first childbirth ( <17 years)
No. of sexual partners
What are the sign and symptoms of cervical cancer?
Abnormal vaginal bleeding after sex (vaginal intercourse)
Bleeding after menopause
Bleeding and spotting between periods
Longer or heavier menstrual bleeding
Pain during sex
Blood mixed vaginal discharge
In Australia, regular Pap test save more than 1200 women each year from cervical cancer. Around 8 in 10 women who develop cervical cancer either have not had a Pap test or have not had them regularly.
