• Home
  • Wellness Blog
  • Hospitals Near Me
  • eCLINIC-Telemedicine
  • Careers
  • Call us
    • DLF Cyber City (+91 124 4141 472)
    • Gurugram (+91 124 4141 414)
    • Indore (+91 731 4747 000)
    • Lucknow (+91 522 4505 050)
    • Patna (+91 612 3505 050)
    • Ranchi (1800 8913 100)
    • South Delhi (+91 11 4411 4411)
  • Emergency : 1068
  • Recent
  • All Categories
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
    View All

    TRENDING CATEGORIES:

    • Coronavirus
    • Breast Cancer
    • Lung Cancer
    • Cancer Awareness
    • General Wellness
    • Air Pollution
    • Diabetes
    • World Obesity Day
    • Healthy Heart
    • Ageing
    • Brain Attack
    • Angioplasty
    • Chemotherapy
    • Common Allergens
    • Panic Disorder
    • Dengue
  • Live Healthy
  • Heal Faster
  • Get Inspired
  • The Exchange
  • Case Studies
  • Events
  • Investor Relations
    • My Reports
    • About Us
    • Hospitals Near Me
    • Careers
    • Login
    • Request Callback
    • Emergency : 1068
    • +91-124-4141414
  • Home
  • Wellness Blog
Book a Service at Medanta
  • Book an Appointment
  • Book Video Consult
  • Get Cancer Second Opinion
  • Get Medical Second Opinion
  • Book Health Check up
  • Book Homecare Services
  • Recent
  • All Categories
  • Live Healthy
  • Heal Faster
  • Get Inspired
  • The Exchange
  • Case Studies

6 Things You Need To Know About Getting A Pap Smear Test

  • 21 Feb 2019
  • #Cervical Cancer
  • #Pap Smear


Cervical cancer is a largely preventable form of cancer that is responsible for 1/3rd of all global deaths. Largely caused by the Human Papillomavirus(HPV), this sexually transmitted virus affects a large swathe of India’s middle-aged women.

 

Pap smears are efficient tests that can help test for cervical cancer as well as in the detection of any early signs of any cancer-related abnormalities in your cervix. Here are a few things you need to know about this life-saving screening test.

 

1. How Do Pap Smear Tests Work?

 

 

Pap-Smear-Cervical-Cancer

 

It is important to understand that Pap smear tests is neither for detecting sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) or cancers of the cervix. Pap smear tests perform the vital function of helping physicians identify any abnormal cell growth (caused by HPV) that are in turn good indicators of any gestating cancers.


2. How Regularly Should One Get A Pap Smear Test?

 

Pap-Smear-Cervical-Cancer-Important

 

You should start getting routine Pap smear tests within three years of becoming sexually active or by the time you turn 21 ( whichever comes first). Subsequently, make it a point to continue getting a Pap smear test every 3 years till you turn 65.


3. Are There Any Precautions I Need To Take Before a Pap Smear?


Your Pap smear test can return false positives if there are any foreign substances present in your vaginal tract during the test. It is therefore recommended to avoid having any sexual intercourse for a few days ( 2-3 days) prior to your Pap smear test. It is also recommended to get your test done before or after your periods to get the best results.


4. How Is A Pap Smear Test Done?

 

Pap-Smear-Cervical-Cancer-Swab

 

A Pap smear test is a painless procedure that is conducted by means of a simple cervical swab. Your physician will collect cell samples from your vagina by means of a cotton swab. This sample will then be analysed in a lab for any abnormal cell growth anomalies. The entire procedure should take about 10-15 minutes from start to finish.

 

5. I Have An Abnormal Pap Smear Reading - What Does it Mean?

 

An abnormal Pap smear signifies the growth of aberrant cells in your cervical tract. Your doctor might require further tests like a colposcopy to obtain more tissue samples to confirm the exact nature of this cellular anomaly and prescribe the most appropriate treatment path

 

6. How to decode your Pap smear results?

 

Pap-Smear-Cervical-Cancer-Doctor

 

Pap score tests results are binary in nature. This means that they can return with either positive or negative values. A negative score signifies an absence of any cellular abnormalities while a positive score indicates the presence of abnormal cell growths (that could potentially be early stage cancer growths).


It is important to note that a positive Pap smear score isn't always a sure sign of a cancerous growth.Your test can return positive scores if you have Dysplasia ( minor changes in your cellular structure) or even a mild inflammation.

 

Medanta Medical Team
  • 1
  • Prev 7 Things to Know About Living with Irritable B...

  • Next The Silent Threat Of Belly Fat And What You Mu...

Related articles

  • How To Exercise When You Have Heart Dise...
  • Heart Surgery Recovery – What You ...
  • 7 Tips To Become A Better Cancer Caregiv...

Go to Top

  • Events
  • Careers
  • Policies & Forms
  • Investor Relations
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 Medanta The Medicity. All Rights Reserved.

Designed by screenroot
Request Callback
+
=

Please wait..