Just a few decades ago, cervical cancer was a leading cause of female cancer deaths in the United States. Today, far fewer women are succumbing to this “silent killer” — and far more women are surviving it — than ever before. The reason for this good news?
Routine cervical cancer screenings with the Pap smear test.
At Capital Women’s Care in Frederick and Mount Airy, Maryland, our expert team wants you to know that the Pap smear isn’t just another box to tick at your annual well-woman exam; it’s an invaluable test that just might save your life. Here’s what you should know.
A Pap smear is a simple test that screens for cervical cancer. Done during a standard pelvic exam, it involves using a slender brush to gently swab a few cells from the tissues around your cervix (the part of your uterus that opens into your vagina).
We analyze these cells under a microscope to check for abnormal changes, also known as precancers. Without intervention, abnormal cervical cells may eventually turn cancerous.
As the only way to detect abnormal cervical cells before they become malignant, regular Pap testing is the best way for women of all ages to prevent invasive cervical cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of related viruses, several of which are transmitted through sexual contact. Some HPV types carry an increased risk of minor health problems like genital warts, while other “high-risk” strains are linked to serious conditions like cancer.
There are 12 strains of high-risk HPV. Of these, just two types — 16 and 18 — are known to cause the kind of abnormal cell changes, or precancers, that precede cervical cancer. In fact, high-risk HPV infections are responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer.
HPV testing, which is frequently conducted along with Pap testing, checks for these dangerous strains. Just like a Pap smear, an HPV test collects a swab of cells from your cervix so they can be screened for the presence of a high-risk HPV infection.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force sets cervical cancer screening guidelines based on the latest evidence and scientific research. Current guidelines recommend that Pap testing should begin at the age of 21 and continue every three years through the age of 29.
Then, between the ages of 30 and 65, you may choose to:
After the age of 65, you can ask your gynecologist if you can stop having Pap and HPV tests.
You’ll need more frequent Pap/HPV tests (and may need to continue the screenings after the age of 65) if you ever have abnormal Pap results, a high-risk HPV diagnosis, or a cervical cancer diagnosis.
Women who have a hysterectomy to remove their cervix and get rid of cervical cancer should continue having regular Pap smear tests for at least 20 years following their surgery, as it’s still possible to develop abnormal cell changes in the same area.
Most abnormal Pap results aren’t a sign of invasive cervical cancer — they’re an indication of the presence of abnormal cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer if left untreated.
These abnormal cell changes are very likely the result of a high-risk HPV infection; in fact, if you have abnormal Pap results, your HPV test is probably positive, too.
Cervical cell changes are classified as:
Low-grade changes usually require little more than watchful waiting, usually in the form of more frequent Pap testing. High-grade changes call for a diagnostic colposcopy to biopsy the area of concern, reach a more exacting diagnosis, and determine next steps.
The bottom line? Regular Pap testing is more likely to discover abnormal cervical cells before they’ve had a chance to progress, making it much easier to prevent invasive cervical cancer. In short, having regular Pap/HPV testing just might save your life.
Are you due for your next Pap test? Our Capital Women’s Care team can help. Give us a call to schedule a visit at your nearest office in Frederick or Mount Airy, Maryland, today.
