Early Detection of Cervical Cancer with Pap Smear

Cervical cancer is one of the most malignant type of cancer affecting women. Unfortunately, many women, especially in Indonesia, which is not a routine check-up by doing a pap smear.

A Pap smear is a test that can examine the state of cells in the cervix (neck of the womb) and the vagina. With routine checks, changes in cells that may develop into cancer or already be cancer can be detected.

Cervical Cancer Screening Procedures
To check for cervical cancer, the doctor uses a tool called a speculum inserted into the vaginal opening. This tool could broaden the field of vision by opening the mouth of the vagina so that the cervix and vaginal area could be examined more thoroughly. After that, a sample of cells on the cervix will be taken using a spatula (such as long-stemmed small spoon) of plastic and a small brush. The cells are then sent to a laboratory for testing.

This test usually takes about five minutes. During the procedure, you do not need to be tense because most women do not feel pain during a pap smear.

While doing a pap smear, the doctor can also combine it with the test human papillomavirus (HPV), especially for women aged 30 years and over. HPV is a virus that causes sexually transmitted infections, which can cause cervical cancer in some women.

Pap smear is medically safe to do. Still, it is likely due to negative. You can receive the test results were wrong. For example, the test results show that you have the normal cells, but it is not so. The inaccuracy that triggers the abnormal cells are covered with blood and very little amount of abnormal cells. However, the possibility of abnormal cells can be detected if you live next Pap smear.

To get a Pap smear test results are as accurate as possible, you should avoid sexual intercourse, clean the vagina, vaginal creams and wear for 2 days before the test.

Who needs a Pap smear?
Experts recommend that women aged 21 years and above to perform a pap smear. However, if you have been sexually active before that age, it is advisable to perform this test.

Actually, your risk of developing cervical cancer is low if you do not have sex. Even so, you could consider doing a pap smear because there are other things that can trigger cervical cancer such as smoking and heredity.

This test should be done every three years for women aged 21-65 years. For women aged 30-65 years who declared negative suffering from HPV, it is advisable to do so every five years.

Routine Pap smears should be done if you are determined to have abnormal cells, have a weak immune system, HIV infection, undergoing chemotherapy and had undergone organ transplantation.

By undergoing routine Pap smears, you can prevent yourself from the risk of cervical cancer. Even if you have cancerous cells, doctors could handle it early so that the cells do not develop into malignant.