Pap Smear
Medical experts report that in 2018 alone, more than 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are going to receive a definite diagnosis, the American Cancer Society reports. Because a routine Pap smear is still the leading way to detect cervical cancer, the team at the office of Innovative Care Medicine in Corona, California, offer flexible scheduling for Pap tests. If you’re due for a Pap smear or have a family history of cervical cancer, schedule your exam by using the online scheduling feature. You can also call the clinic to book.
Pap Smear Q & A
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is a simple in-office test that involves gathering a sample of cells from your cervix. During your visit, your practitioner inserts a small speculum into your vagina, which opens up your vaginal walls. They gently scrape your uterus and place your sample on a specimen plate, which gets sent to the lab.
How often do I need a Pap test?
Generally, you should start getting regular Pap tests around age 21, or when you become sexually active — whichever comes first. If you’re in excellent overall health and have never had an abnormal Pap, Dr. Ohri often recommends having a Pap smear every three years for women ages 21-65.
In some cases, cervical cancer stems from a viral infection that’s caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). If you have HPV testing alongside your Pap test, you might be able to wait up to five years between Pap smears, as long as you’ve never had an abnormal test.
Why is my Pap smear abnormal?
It can be overwhelming to learn that you had an abnormal Pap test but don’t stress. Dr. Ohri typically suggests having a second Pap smear to compare results. In some cases, abnormal Pap results occur because of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS).
While these cells are abnormal, they’re not necessarily precancerous. Dr. Ohri might want to reanalyze your sample to check for viruses that promote cancer development, such as HPV. Atypical glandular cells are also abnormal, but you need further testing to see if they’re cancerous.
After further testing, if your Pap smear results are still abnormal, Dr. Ohri could find that you have precancerous cells (squamous intraepithelial cells), or cancerous cells (squamous or adenocarcinoma cells). In these cases, you’re probably going to need a minimally invasive gynecological surgery to have the abnormal cells and tissues removed.
How do I prepare for a Pap smear?
Even though a Pap smear is a routine test, you need to do a few things to prepare. For instance, avoid having sexual intercourse or douching for two days before your exam. You also need to stop using vaginal medicines, including yeast infection treatments, two days prior.
Otherwise, your test results might not be accurate or can come back abnormal. To ensure Dr. Ohri can collect a thorough sample from your cervix, you should also avoid scheduling a Pap test during your menstrual period.
You can book your preventive Pap smear at Innovative Care Medicine either online or over the phone.