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Cervical Screening - Helping to Decide
- Dec 21, 2022
- By Dr.Gayathri Meganathan. MBBS. MRCOG (OBGYN)
- Consultant in Happylyfe women’s health clinic (Marsur) and
- Narayana Hrudayalaya multi specialty clinic (E.city)
- It is your choice whether to have cervical screening test or not. This guide will help you to decide. Cervical screening also called smear test, PAP smear test.
- What is cervical screening?
- It is not a test to diagnose cancer. It is a test to check for pre-cancer changes (abnormal cells) in the lower part of the uterus (cervix). If left untreated it can become cervical cancer.
- The doctor inserts an instruments called speculum into the vagina and take small sample of cells by touching the cervix with spatula/brush for analysis. The cell sample is send to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.
- It is only mildly uncomfortable and generally not painful. The test will be completed in minutes. It takes few days for the week.
- Who are all need to do the cervical screening?
- Cervical screening can be done for all women from 25-64 years of age once in every 3-5 years.
- How to prepare for a PAP smear?
- Do not Douche or any vaginal cream/pessary 2 days before the test. And PAP smear is not done during periods it can give inaccurate results.
- How to follow up after the test result?
- If the test is normal, your doctor will recommend how often you should be tested based upon your risk factors.
- Is there any other screening test for cervical cancer?
- Is there any other screening test for cervical cancer?
- HPV DNA test is also available which is more sensitive and can extend the duration of cervical screening.
- Cervical cancer is the second most common cancers of women in India despite of largely preventable by regular screening and HPV Vaccination.
- I hope you decided to do your PAP smear and visit any gynecologist near you.
- For further queries you reach me @9611000460
