A critical part of a woman's overall health care is the Pap smear. This simple test can detect cancer and other abnormal cells in the female reproductive organs. Women should have their first Pap by their 21st birthday or earlier if they are sexually active. The test should be performed a minimum of once every 3 years. A positive result means your doctor has detected any number of questionable or irregular cells that require further investigation.
How a Pap Test Is Performed
A Pap test is a quick and simple procedure that's conducted while a woman lies on an exam table. The doctor or clinician uses a wooden scraper or a small brush to take a sample of cells from the cervix. The specimen is deposited on a glass slide and sent to a laboratory where it will be inspected for any irregularities. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 6 percent of the 55 million Pap tests performed annually in the U.S. indicate abnormalities.
Pap Smear Results
If your Pap smear detects only normal cervical cells that means you have a negative result and no additional tests will be necessary. If suspicious or abnormal cells were spotted your test results are considered to be positive but that isn't necessarily a cause for alarm.
Defining Abnormal Results
When a Pap smear picks up unusual looking cells from the surface of cervix they are seldom cancerous. Not all conditions described as abnormal automatically become cancerous. Your doctor may take a tissue sample from any questionable areas of the cervix, vagina and vulva for further study and diagnosis.
Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS)
When slightly abnormal squamous cells are detected from a Pap smear further tests may be ordered to see if any viruses exist that may encourage the development of cancer. These minor abnormalities do not necessarily indicate that precancerous cells exist. If no-high risk viruses are spotted the abnormal cells don't usually warrant further analysis. If a virus of concern such as human papillomavirus (HPV) is evident further tests are necessary.
Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion
A squamous intraepithelial lesion means that the Pap smear shows the possibility of precancerous cells and further tests will be ordered. Depending on the magnitude of the changes in the cells, it could take the lesions a short time or many years to become cancerous.
Atypical Glandular Cells
Atypical glandular cells grow in the opening of the cervix and inside of the uterus. These mucus producing cells may be an indication of minor abnormalities but it's uncertain whether they're cancerous. Further testing is needed to determine the source of the abnormal cells and their significance.
Squamous Cancer or Adenocarcinoma Cells.
When squamous cancer or adenorcarcinoma cells are indicated on the Pap smear the abnormality is so considerable that the presence of cancer in the cervix, vagina or uterus is practically certain. When these pathological cells are discovered further examination should take place as soon as possible.
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