Each year, more than 600,000 women around the world find out they have cervical cancer, and just over half of that number die from the disease. While this number may seem high, Pap smear testing has led to a dramatic reduction in cervical cancer fatalities.
Women living in and around Lanham, Maryland, rely on Kadie E. Leach, MD, for top quality women’s health screening, including Pap smear testing.
Pap smears are performed during routine pelvic exams. Dr. Leach uses a slim medical device called a speculum to gently separate your vaginal walls, allowing her to visually inspect your cervical tissues. To do the Pap, she uses a slender spatula or brush to collect cells from your cervix.
We send those cells to a lab, where technicians inspect them under magnification. Cancerous cells and cells that are in the precancerous stage look different from healthy cervical cells.
During the procedure, some women report a brief cramping sensation, but others don’t notice any sensation at all during the few seconds when Dr. Leach gathers the cells needed to complete the screening.
Some minimal spotting is normal for a day or two after a Pap smear, but here again, some women don’t notice any bleeding at all. As soon as your test results come in, someone from our office reaches out with your results.
Thanks to advancement in medical research and technology, you have even more cervical cancer screening options than your mother and grandmother likely had. Researchers know that the vast majority of cervical cancers occur as a result of infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Getting tested for HPV is an another way to screen for cervical cancer. The sample collection process is exactly the same as Pap smear testing, and the lab technicians look for the specific strains of HPV known to cause cervical cancer.
The answer depends on a number of factors. Health experts recommend having your first Pap smear at the age of 21, then repeating the screening every three years. When you reach 25, you should consider getting tested for HPV, either in place of or in conjunction with your Pap smear testing.
As you move into your late 20s and 30s, you have some options when it comes to your screening timelines. Many women choose to have their Pap smear and HPV testing done during the same visit every five years. You can also choose to have just a Pap smear every three years, or just HPV testing every five years.
If you’ve ever had an abnormal Pap smear result, or if a previous screening showed signs of precancerous cells, you may need to be checked more frequently. Women with compromised immune function may also need to be tested more often.
If your screening shows a cause for concern, Dr. Leach performs additional diagnostic steps to learn more. Colposcopy is usually the next step. This simple process involves using a special lighted magnification device to view your cervical tissues.
You simply recline on the exam table or chair while Dr. Leach positions the device near your vaginal opening. With a speculum in place, this device allows Dr. Leach to see your tissues clearly. Sometimes a special solution is swabbed onto your vaginal and cervical tissues to help precancerous cells show up more clearly.
In general, the process is no more uncomfortable than a routine pelvic exam, although it usually takes a few moments longer. If Dr. Leach sees anything that looks unusual, she explains explain what the next stage of screening entails.
If you’re overdue for Pap smear testing, reach out to Kadie E Leach, MD, today to discuss scheduling a visit. You can book your appointment online or over the phone. Pap smear testing is best performed when you’re not experiencing menstrual bleeding, so take that into consideration when choosing an appointment date.
