A Pap test is done yearly to check the cervix for abnormal cell changes. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, which opens into the vagina. Cell changes can develop on the cervix that, if not found and treated, can lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can almost always be prevented, and having regular Pap tests is the key.
A Pap test can save your life. It can find early signs of cervical cancer. If caught early, the chance of successful treatment of cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests can also find abnormal cervical cells before they turn into cancer cells. Treating these abnormal cells can help prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing. Getting a Pap test is one of the best things you can do to prevent cervical cancer.
FAQ’s about Pap Test
Do all women need Pap tests?
Most women above the age of 21 should get Pap tests as part of routine health care. Even if you are not currently sexually active, you should still have a Pap test. Women who have gone through menopause (when a woman's periods stop) and are younger than 65 still need regular Pap tests.
How can I prepare for a Pap test?
Some things can cause incorrect Pap test results.
For two days before the test do not:
- Use tampons
- Use vaginal creams, suppositories, or medicines
- Use vaginal deodorant sprays or powders
- Have sex
- Douche
How is a Pap test done?
Your doctor can do a Pap test during a pelvic exam. It is a quick test. You will lie down on an exam table. Your doctor will put an instrument called a speculum into your vagina and will open it to see your cervix. He or she will then use a special stick or brush to take a few cells from the surface of and inside the cervix. The cells are placed on a glass slide and sent to a lab for testing.
When will I get the results of my Pap test?
Usually it takes one to three weeks to get Pap test results. Most of the time, test results are normal. If the test shows that something might be wrong, your doctor will contact you to schedule more tests. There are many reasons for abnormal Pap test results. Abnormal Pap test results do not always mean you have cancer.
My Pap test was "abnormal." What happens now?
It can be scary to hear that your Pap test results are "abnormal." But abnormal Pap test results usually do not mean you have cancer. Most often there is a small problem with the cervix. If results of the Pap test are unclear or show a small change in the cells of the cervix, your doctor may repeat the Pap test immediately, in 6 months, or a year, or he or she may run more tests.
Some abnormal cells will turn into cancer. Treating abnormal cells that don't go away on their own can prevent almost all cases of cervical cancer . If you have abnormal results, talk with us about what they mean. We will answer any questions you have and explain anything you don't understand. Treatment for abnormal cells is often done in a doctor's office during a routine appointment.
If the test finds more serious changes in the cells of the cervix, the doctor will suggest more tests. Results of these tests will help your doctor decide on the best treatment.