Pap smear
What is a Pap smear? A Pap smear is a test that checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Developed over forty years ago by Dr. George Papanicolaou, this test can help to detect cervical cancer at an early stage
What happens during the procedure? A Pap smear only takes a few moments and is a part of a routine pelvic examination. You will be asked to lie on your back, with your knees bent and feet apart. Your clinician will insert a speculum into the vagina so that the cervix can be seen. Your clinician will use a special swab, brush, or stick to wipe off cells from inside the opening of the cervix and from the outer part of the cervix. These cells are smeared onto a microscope slide and taken for analysis.
What if abnormal cells are seen on my Pap smear? Results from five to 10% of Pap smears performed each year on women in the United States are reported as abnormal. Abnormal cell types include: ASCUS-atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. Squamous cells are the thin flat cells that form the surface of the cervix.
LSIL-low-grade (early changes in the size, shape, and number of cells) squamous intraepithelial lesion. The word lesion refers to an area of abnormal tissue; intraepithelial means that the abnormal cells are present only in the surface layer of cells. HSIL-high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. High-grade means that there are a large number of precancerous cells that look very different from normal cells.
ASCUS and LSIL are considered mild abnormalities. HSIL is more severe and has a higher likelihood of progressing to invasive cancer. If the Pap test abnormality is unclear or minor, the doctor may repeat the test to ensure accuracy. If the Pap test shows a significant abnormality, the doctor may then perform a test called a colposcopy.
For this test, the doctor uses a magnifying instrument to view the tissue surrounding the vagina and cervix to check for any abnormalities. A Schiller test may also be performed. For this test, the doctor coats the cervix with an iodine solution. Healthy cells turn brown and abnormal cells turn white or yellow. Both of these procedures can be done in the doctor's office. Finally, the doctor may also remove a small amount of cervical tissue for examination. This procedure is called a biopsy and is the only sure way to know whether the abnormal cells indicate cancer.
What is cervical cancer? Cancer of the cervix, a very common kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the opening of the uterus (womb). It connects the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal).
Cancer of the cervix usually grows slowly over a period of time. Before cancer cells are found on the cervix, the tissues of the cervix go through changes in which abnormal cells begin to appear (a condition called dysplasia). Later, cancer starts to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.
What are the symptoms of cervical cancer? There are no real symptoms of the early stages of cervical cancer. That is why it is so important that your doctor does a series of tests regularly to look for it. The first of these is a Pap smear, which is done by using a piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick to gently scrape the outside of the cervix to pick up some cells that can be examined under a microscope. You may feel some pressure, but you usually do not feel pain. Most cervical cancers can be caught early with regular screening.
normal cancerous
What are the risk factors for developing cervical cancer? According to the National Cancer Institute, strong risk factors include: early age at first intercourse, a history of multiple sexual partners, genital human papillomavirus infection (HPV) other sexually transmitted disease (STD), presence or history of other genital tract abnormalities.
Women age 60 and above are at greater risk for cervical cancer than are women in other age groups because these older women are less willing or able to seek medical care for early screening. One reason that many of these women do not get screened for cervical cancer is that they often don't view themselves as being at risk. Other risk factors include active or passive ("second-hand") smoking, poor nutrition, and a current or past sexual partner with risk factors for STDs, or HIV/AIDS.
Are some women at higher risk for cervical cancer? Women at an increased risk for cervical cancer include those who: have had more than one sexual partner or whose partner has had more than one partner were sexually active beginning at a young age (before age eighteen) have a history of genital warts smoke
References http://dpalm.med.uth.tmc.edu/cytopath/s elf-quiz.htm http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm http://familydoctor.org/handouts/223.ht ml http://www.medical-malpracticelawyers-attorneys.com/pap_smear.html