The Pap test has recently become popular, when should it be done? How do you prepare for this test?

A Pap smear or Pap test is a procedure used to detect cervical cancer early.

Where the presence of cancerous cells is confirmed or not by taking a swab in the clinic in order to collect multiple cells from the cervix and examine them in the laboratory for abnormal growth.

A Pap smear can help indicate the likelihood of developing cancer in the future, as it is the first and most important step in curing cervical cancer and stopping its progression if diagnosed.

When should a Pap smear be done?

A recent study and medical directives emphasized the necessity of performing a Pap smear for women from the age of 21 to 65 years of age, and having it regularly every three years.

Starting at the age of 30, women can have a Pap smear and Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) screening.

The screening can then be done every 5 years instead, and women over 65 may be able to stop having a Pap test if previous results were normal.

The significance of the Pap smear result

After taking the sample by the attending physician, the result will appear within several days as follows:

1. Negative result

It means the absence or growth of strange-looking cells in the cervix, which is the desired result of all women, and therefore the examination is done as a precautionary measure only, no more than three years after the result.

2. Positive result

If the result is positive, it does not mean that the woman has cervical cancer, but it may be an indication of mild inflammation or small changes in the cells of the area called dysplasia or dysplasia.

In this case, the woman is given some medications and asked to do the test again in a few months. If these cells do not disappear, then a colposcopy is done and further tests are done.

How to prepare for a Pap test

A woman who intends to have a Pap test does not have to do any special preparation before the test, but the area must be dry and be careful not to put any material inside, outside or around the vagina.

The examination does not cause any pain, but may cause slight discomfort at the same moment, which disappears when the examination is completed immediately.