Pap Smear Test

To understand the importance of the Pap smear test (we call it for short), we need to know how it is done and what it means when it is abnormal. So you will understand why you need to have it done regularly. The smear test is a simple test in which cells taken from the cervix are examined. It is named after the doctor who did it for the first time, namely Dr. George Papanicolaou. Not only the presence of cancer cells is shown, it also determines the cells that are likely to become cancerous in the future. In this way, you will have the chance to destroy the cancer before it occurs. About 50 years before this test was invented, deaths from cervical cancer were higher. These deaths are now considerably reduced. If you have a regular smear test, you will greatly reduce your chances of getting cervical cancer. Even if you are caught, if you are in the early stage, your chance of treatment is over 90%.

Who Should Have a Smear Test?

You should have your first test at age 21 or three years after your first sexual intercourse. In the following years, it should be done as follows;

– Once a year between the ages of 21 and 29

– If your tests are normal between the ages of 30 and 69, a smear test should be done every two or three years.

- If you are over 70 years old, if your tests in the last 10 years are normal or if you have had three normal tests in a row, you can no longer have a smear test.

If you carry some risks, you should have a smear test every year regardless of these ages. The risks are as follows;

– Starting sexual intercourse at an early age, especially with a large number of partners

– If you still have many sexual partners

– Your partner starts sexual intercourse at an early age and has multiple partners

- If you have a sexually transmitted disease

- If you have a family history of cervical cancer

– If there are precancerous cells in the smear test

– Presence of infection with HPV (human papilloma virus)

– Smoking

– HIV infection (AIDS)

- Weakness in the immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or long-term use of cortisone

If your uterus was removed and the cervix was left, you should discuss this with your doctor. If your doctor deems it necessary, you will continue to have a smear test.

Things to Do Before the Smear Test

Pay attention to what is written below so that the result of your test comes out well.
Do not have sexual intercourse before the test. Do not douche, do not use any vaginal suppositories, creams, gels, they can destroy abnormal cells. Although the test is performed during the menstrual period, be careful not to coincide with these days.

How is the Smear Test Done?

This test is done in your doctor's office and only takes a few minutes. On the gynecological table, with the help of an instrument that enters your vagina, sample cells are taken from the cervix and applied to the slide to be examined under the microscope. This slide is sent to pathology by your doctor and examined by a specialist pathologist. The pathologist decides the result of the test.

What are the Results of the Smear Test?

A disease cannot be diagnosed with this test. However, it will help your doctor determine if further testing is required. With the described abnormal cells, your risk is determined. If an abnormal result is obtained, a definitive diagnosis is made by taking a biopsy from the cervix with a special instrument called colposcopy. There may also be cases where the test gives a false negative. In other words, your test may be normal even though you have abnormal cells. But this is around 5%.

False positive, that is, there is no abnormal cell in your test, is a much rarer situation. Conditions that cause false negatives; Not enough cells are taken, the number of abnormal cells is low, there is a small lesion, the blood or other cells close the abnormal cells. However, not detecting abnormal cells will not waste your time. Because cervical cancer takes years to develop and even if it is not found in one test, it is likely to be seen in the next test.