Preventing Cancer Starts with a Pap Test
5/20/2024
By Dr. Cameron Wheeler
For busy women who typically put others’ needs before their own, remember that taking time to care for themselves is important to good health. Regular well-woman exams are a simple and effective way to start.
The purpose of a well-woman visit is to confirm women are receiving appropriate preventative care and to identify any areas of concern in their overall or reproductive health. This can include things such as ensuring women are up to date on screenings for STIs, hypertension, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and osteoporosis as well as vaccinations and contraception care.
Often, a well-woman visit can also include a pelvic exam – which checks the uterus, ovaries and other organs to make sure they are healthy – and a Pap test, which screens for certain gynecological cancers. The Pap smear is the primary test for cervical cancer: once one of the most common causes of cancer death among women, today it is one of the easiest cancers to detect and prevent.
What is the Pap test?
This test is used to detect cell changes in the cervix that may later develop into cancer. Because cervical cancer is slow-growing with few symptoms in the early stages, the Pap test is an effective tool in early detection. Usually performed during a pelvic exam, the Pap test collects a few cells from the cervix for examination under a microscope. The test is painless, and takes only seconds to perform. Regular Pap smears monitor any tissue changes in the cervix and can help diagnose potential problems early, when they are most treatable.
Who needs a Pap test?
The Pap test is recommended for all women; however, industry guidelines regarding when to begin Pap tests and how frequently to receive the test have changed. Pap smears should follow these guidelines, issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):
- If you are younger than 21—You do not need screening.
- If you are 21 to 29— Have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing alone can be considered for women who are 25 to 29, but Pap tests are preferred.
- If you are 30 to 65—You can choose one of three options:
- Have a Pap test and an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years
- Have a Pap test alone every 3 years
- Have an HPV test alone every 5 years
- If you are 65 or older—You do not need screening if you have no history of cervical changes and either three negative Pap test results in a row, two negative HPV tests in a row, or two negative co-test results in a row within the past 10 years. The most recent test should have been performed within the past 3 or 5 years, depending on the type of test.
Remember:
- You still need to have screening if you have been vaccinated against HPV.
- You may still need to have screening if you have had a hysterectomy and your cervix was not removed, if you had a history of abnormal pap testing prior to the hysterectomy, or if it was performed due to cervical dysplasia.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on how often and when you should receive your next screening.
Cervical cancer is most often diagnosed in women age 40 and older. It is important to continue getting a Pap test regularly – even if you think you are too old to have a child, or are not sexually active. It’s equally important to continue annual pelvic exams, regardless of the recommended frequency of Pap tests. Your pelvic exam and Pap test may be performed together, in the same wellness visit, or separately, depending on the frequency of Pap tests that your doctor recommends.
If it’s time for your Pap test, visit https://www.merithealthbiloxidocs.com/ob-gyn or call 228-436-6658 for an appointment.
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, www.acog.org, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, www.cdc.gov/women, National Cancer Institute (NCI), www.cancer.gov
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