Pap Smear (cont.)
In this Article
Which women are at increased risk for having an abnormal Pap smear?
A number of risk factors have been identified for the development of cervical cancer and precancerous changes in the cervix.
- HPV:
The principal risk factor is
infection with the genital wart virus, also called the
human papillomavirus
(HPV), although most women with HPV infection do not get cervical cancer. (See below for details). About 95%-100% of cervical cancers are related to HPV infection.
Some women are more likely to have abnormal Pap smears than other women.
- Smoking: One common risk factor for
premalignant and malignant changes in the cervix is
smoking. Although
smoking is associated with many different cancers, many women do not realize
that smoking is strongly linked to cervical cancer. Smoking increased the
risk of cervical cancer about two to four fold.
- Weakened immune system:
Women whose immune systems are weakened or have become
weakened by medications (for example, those taken after an organ transplant) also have a higher risk of precancerous changes in the cervix.
- Medications: Women whose mothers took the drug
diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy also are at increased risk.
- Other risk factors:
Other risk factors for precancerous changes in the cervix and an abnormal Pap testing include having multiple sexual partners and becoming sexually active at a young age.
How is a Pap smear done?
A woman should have a Pap smear when she is not
menstruating. The best time
for screening is between 10 and 20 days after the first day of her menstrual
period. For about two days before testing, a woman
should avoid douching or using
spermicidal foams, creams, or jellies or vaginal medicines (except as directed
by a physician). These agents may wash away or hide any abnormal cervical cells.
A Pap smear can be done in a doctor's office, a clinic, or a hospital by either
a physician or other specially trained health care professional, such as a
physician assistant, a nurse practitioner, or
a nurse midwife.
- With the woman
positioned on her back, the clinician will often first examine the outside of
the patient's genital and
rectal areas, including the
urethra (the opening where
urine leaves the body), to assure that they look normal.
- A speculum is then
inserted into the vaginal area (the birth canal). (A speculum is an instrument
that allows the vagina and the cervix to be viewed and examined.)
- A cotton swab
is sometimes used to clear away mucus that might interfere with an optimal
sample.
- A small brush called a cervical brush is then inserted into the opening of the
cervix (the cervical os) and twirled around to collect a sample of cells.
Because this sample comes from inside the cervix, is called the endocervical
sample ("endo" meaning inside).
- A second sample is also collected as part of the
Pap smear and is called the ectocervical sample ("ecto" meaning outside).
- These
cells are collected from a scraping of the area surrounding, but not entering,
the cervical os.
- Both the endocervical and the ectocervical samples are gently
smeared on a glass slide and a fixative (a preservative) is used to prepare the
cells on the slide for laboratory evaluation.
A bimanual (both hands) pelvic exam usually
follows the collection of the two samples for the Pap smear. The bimanual
examination involves the physician or health care practitioner inserting two fingers of one hand inside the
vaginal canal while feeling the ovaries and uterus with the other hand on top of
the abdomen (belly).
The results of the Pap smear are usually available within two to three weeks. At the end
of Pap smear testing, each woman should ask how she should expect to be informed
about the results of her Pap smear. If a woman has not learned of her results
after a month, she should contact her health care practitioner's office.
Next: What are the risks of having a Pap smear? »
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