5 Things You Need To Know About Pap Smears



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5 Things You Need To Know About Pap Smears

Pap smear or pap test is an examination performed to detect cervical cancer or cervical cancer. The cervix is ​​a channel-shaped tissue that connects the uterus with the vagina.

Cervical cancer itself is caused by infection of human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted through sexual contact. This virus can enter into the cervical cells, which in turn can trigger changes in function and cell growth uncontrolled.

A person infected with HPV takes approximately 10 to 20 years to form cancer. In addition, the number of cervical cancer patients in Indonesia per year ranks the 2nd highest in the world.

Thus, it is very important for you women to perform pap smear examination as an early detection of cervical cancer. However, before doing a pap smear, it would be nice if you know the first few things below.

5 Things You Need To Know About Pap Smears

1. Pap smear examination time

According to The American College Of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, every woman is encouraged to do pap smear examination since the age of 21 years, both sexually active and those who have not. Every 21- to 29-year-old woman should perform this examination every 3 years.

Then, every woman aged 30 to 65 years should do the examination once every 5 years accompanied by another investigation, the HPV test. However, it is only allowed to do pap smear examination only once every 3 years.

Women over the age of 65 with a history of previously normal pap smears, are more likely to avoid reexamination later in life. In addition, pap smears may have to be done more frequently in some conditions, such as in women with HIV and women with decreased immune systems due to chemotherapy or organ transplants.

2. Pap smear examination mechanism

Pap smear examination done in a short time. However, the discomfort will be felt a little when the examination is done. During the examination you will be asked to be in a position lying on the examination table with an open leg position resting on the footrest.

Gradually the doctor will insert the speculum tool to ensure the vaginal wall remains open and facilitates access to the cervix. Next, the doctor will take the examination sample using a spatula and brush tool to lift a little cervical cell.

Then, the cervical cells that have been taken will be sent to the laboratory for further testing whether they contain abnormal cells. After the examination is complete may appear symptoms of a little cramp or even a little bleeding from the vagina.

3. Preparation before pap smear examination

Before the pap smear examination, of course you must make an appointment in advance with a specialist obstetrics and gynecology. In addition, there are several things that must be considered before doing the examination, which is not menstruating, not having sexual intercourse within 48 hours before the examination, and not using vaginal cleansers that can change the vaginal fluid content.

Use of contraceptives such as spermicides, creams, jelly, and vaginal medications should be avoided for 48 hours before the examination. In some cases, pap smears can be performed on women with gestational age of 24 weeks down.

4. Pap smear examination results

After the cervical cell samples are sent to the laboratory, of course you expect good results or no abnormalities. Actually the results of pap smear examination there are 2 possibilities, namely normal and abnormal. Normal results show no abnormal cells found and are shown with negative results.

If the results are normal, then you do not need pap smear re-examination for the next 3 years. If the results are found abnormal cells, it should be further seen whether these cells can develop into cancer cells.

Depending on the level of cell abnormality, your doctor may recommend a pap smear. As if necessary, the doctor may perform more in-depth examination of the cervical tissue by using a colposcopy device or performing a biopsy (tissue-taking).

5. Accuracy of Pap smear examination

Pap smear examination is very accurate. If done regularly can reduce cases of cervical cancer by 80%. However, the examination results may be less accurate when influenced by several factors. If you do what should be avoided before the examination is done, it may affect the accuracy of the pap smear results.

Thus explanation about what things should you know before doing pap smear examination. For those of you who have not done a pap smear check, let's check it out soon! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

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