Cervical Papanicolaou Smear or commonly known as Pap smear is a basic screening test used to establish an initial diagnosis and to evaluate the severity of a disease. This simple test can detect cervical cancer cells whether they are malignant or not.
High risk factors are placed among women who were exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV), chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes simplex.
What makes you a candidate for this test? If you are 18 years of age or younger and have been sexually active with several partners you should be examined yearly with or without any troublesome symptoms.
If you delivered to your first born child you are also subject to the yearly screening and if you are above 30 years of age with or without any sexual experience.
And most important if you have a family history of breast, cervical and endometrial cancer you should not miss a schedule of your Pap test.
To you who want to know a Pap test is a minor procedure that can be done inside your Gynecologist’s clinic. You will feel a little discomfort but generally it is not a painful procedure that can be done without an anesthesia.
If you feel you fall on the categories mentioned go visit your Gynecologist now.
