Cervical cancer used to be among the leading causes of cancer death in women. But thanks to the Pap smear, this is no longer the case. This simple, inexpensive test has saved many lives since it first became a routine part of a woman’s health exam more than 60 years ago.
In honor of National Cervical Health Awareness Month, The South Plains Rural Health Services team wants you to know why it’s time to stop procrastinating and schedule your Pap smear.
The Pap smear, also called the Pap test, was developed by George Nicholas Papanicolaou, a researcher and scientist who first discovered that cancerous cells could be identified under a microscope in 1928. But it wasn’t until 1943, after the publication of Diagnosis of Uterine Cancer by the Vaginal Smear, that others took notice of his discovery, and the Pap smear became the gold standard for cervical cancer screening.
The Pap smear not only detects cancerous cells but can find cell abnormalities that suggest you may be at risk of developing cancer in the future. Early detection of these cells increases the likelihood of a better outcome.
Regardless of your medical history, every woman should begin cervical cancer screening with a Pap smear at age 21. Depending on your medical history and the results of your routine screening, you may only need to get retested every three years up until you reach age 65.
However, you may need more frequent screenings if your results indicate abnormal cells, you have a family history of cervical cancer, you have human papillomavirus, or you have a weakened immune system. We can help determine how often you should have a Pap smear during your examination.
While we can perform a Pap smear anytime, we usually make it part of your routine pelvic exam. During the test, we insert a speculum into your vagina to separate the vaginal walls so we can see your cervix. Then, using a soft brush and a tool we call a spatula, we scrape cells from the walls of your cervix. The entire test takes only a few minutes.
You may experience some spotting and a little cramping after your Pap smear, but you should be able to resume your usual activities immediately following the test.
For us to get the most accurate results, we recommend you abstain from sexual intercourse or use of vaginal medicine for up to two days before your test. We also ask that you schedule your test during a time when you’re not menstruating.
If you have concerns about your health, or more specifically about cervical cancer, you may be on pins and needles waiting for your results. It can take 1-3 weeks for the results of your test to come in, but in most cases the results are normal. If abnormal cells are found, we may recommend you return to the clinic for further testing or refer you to a specialist.
January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month, and there’s no time like now to get your screening. Call the South Plains Rural Health office closest to you to request an appointment or use the online scheduling tool.
