Pap smear test; Diagnosis of uterine cancer

Pap smear test is a specialized test, which is performed in women to diagnose cervical cancer. In this method, cells will be collected from the cervix. Exactly where the cervix is ​​at the bottom of the uterus and at the top of the vagina. This test may be prescribed to the patient along with pelvic examination. Keep in mind that it is performed in women over 30 years old along with the HPV virus test; which is a type of common infectious virus due to performing sexual care and will also cause genital warts.

Finally, these conditions lead to cervical cancer, which was the leading cause of death for women until fifty years ago. Women over 30 can do this test every 3 years. But they are recommended to do a pap smear every 1 year from the age of 21. Because most women are at risk of cancer or infection. Of course, we have to say, the age of starting the pap smear test is different in different countries.

In Pap smear test, a sample of cervical cells is taken and sent to the laboratory for further investigation. At the time of taking the sample, the cervix may be slightly scratched and blood may be seen in it, which is not a problem. If you experience any of the symptoms such as bleeding between periods, bleeding after sexual contact, pain during urination, and pain in the pelvic area that is not related to the menstrual cycle, you should definitely see a doctor.

How to do a pap smear test

Basically, the Pap smear test will be performed in the doctor's office and will not take more than a few minutes. In this method, the patient lies on his back on the bed and bends his knees. The heels should be placed in a section called the stirrup. Then the doctor uses a tool called a speculum and gently inserts it into the vagina. These tools keep the walls of the vagina apart so that the specialist doctor can easily examine the cervix.

Placing the speculum in the vagina may cause a feeling of pressure in the patient's pelvis. By taking deep breaths and keeping your muscles relaxed during the test, you will make the work easier. Then, using a soft brush and a smoothing device called a spatula, the cells of the opening will be sampled.

These samples are sent to a laboratory and placed under a microscope to identify cancerous and precancerous cells. If normal cells are observed in the cervix in this test, then the test result is negative. Otherwise, the test result will be positive. It should be noted that being positive does not mean that a person has cervical cancer, and the result of the test depends on what type of cell was discovered at the end.

Who needs a pap smear test?

Pap smear is mandatory for some people who have special conditions (probability of cancer), especially cervical cancer, and it should be done regularly.

• People who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer in their family, especially their first-degree relatives.
• In people who got married at a young age, the probability of cancer is much higher than others.
• Women who are addicted or smoke, are more susceptible to cancer than other people and should do this test regularly.
• Women who have not experienced childbirth or are suffering from AIDS
• Women who have had many sexual partners and many marriages
• People who have a hereditary history of cervical cancer in the family

All these people should regularly perform a pap smear test to avoid its consequences. They can go to a specialist doctor's office and be examined by him. Dr. Azita Naseri, Gynecology, Obstetrics and Infertility Specialist, will carefully examine the patient's condition and recommend a pap smear if necessary. You can guarantee your health under his supervision.

Examination of positive and negative results in pap smear

If the result of the pap smear test is positive, it means that there is some kind of problem in the cervix, which does not necessarily mean that there is cervical cancer, but it is caused by the presence of some abnormal cells in the cervix, some of which are pre-cancerous cells and need a closer examination. A positive result in a pap smear indicates the presence of two types of cells in the cervix, which include squamous cells and glandular cells.

Squamous cells are located in the outer layer of the cervix, and glandular cells are located in the inner tissue of the uterus; As a result, despite the discrepancies in the test results, the doctor makes different decisions. including repeating the test and using the colposcopy method, in which they examine the cells of the cervix more precisely and clearly, and they may also use a biopsy in some samples.

If the test result is negative and no abnormalities are seen in the cervix; There will be no need to retest for the next 1 year. Of course, sometimes a false negative test result may be announced. Things like insufficient cells, the presence of inflamed or blood cells, and the presence of a small number of abnormal cells in the cervix.

Summary

Pap smear test is performed to check the cells of the cervix, and women between the ages of 21 and 69 take this test. However, the frequency and duration of the procedure is determined by the gynecologist. Therefore, performing this test does not prevent cervical cancer; Rather, it will prevent or treat it in the early stages of diagnosis.

If this disease is diagnosed in time, it is possible to treat the disease through surgery and removal of part of the uterus or in some cases by removing the entire uterus; In this method, in addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also performed. It is worth noting that the abnormality of the cells and the positive result of the test does not necessarily mean cervical cancer and needs further investigation.

In order to get more and more accurate information about women's diseases, you should visit a specialist doctor. Dr. Azita Naseri will provide you with the best services in this field. By visiting them, you can not only prevent the risk of uterine cancer before it occurs, but also prevent the occurrence of other diseases. Under the supervision of Dr. Naseri, you can treat uterine fibroids, infertility treatment by IUI method, perform HPVtest and... also.

FAQ

1. Is it possible to perform Pap smear test in virgin girls?

No, the tool used in this test can damage the hymen. Therefore, it is not recommended for virgin girls; In these cases, the only thing that can be done is sampling from the vagina.

2. Can anesthesia be used to reduce pain in pap smear?

If you cannot bear the pain during sampling, painkillers can be used. But the use of anesthetic or lubricant will be effective as a result of the test. Among other ways to reduce pain, we should mention the use of speculum in smaller sizes.

3. How is the Pap smear test performed in men?

In this method, rectal pap smear test is used to diagnose anal cancer. This test can be done for both men and women. In this way, cells are separated from the anus area and sampling is done. Then the samples are sent to the laboratory and examined.

4. How long does it take to get the results of the pap smear test?

It depends on the laboratory. Of course, some laboratories prepare the result in three days, but the response in some other laboratories takes more than a week.

5. Does doing a Pap smear test help to diagnose AIDS?

No. This test has no use for the diagnosis of AIDS, and a blood test must be performed to diagnose it. Pap smear is mostly done to diagnose cervical cancer.