Cervical Smear Test

A cervical smear test is also known as a Pap smear or a Pap test. A cervical smear test is used to test for cervical cancer in women. It involves collecting cells from your cervix- the lower, narrow end of your uterus.

There is always the potential that pre-cancerous changes might go on to become actual cancer of the cervix. It is also possible for pre-cancerous changes to go away by themselves.

The cervical smear test is normally taken with a pelvic examination. A sample of surface cells is taken from the cervix with a small flat wooden spatula or a small brush.

The specimen is placed on a small glass slide, fixed, stained and sent away to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope. The laboratory technician will then classify the smear test into either normal, borderline abnormal, mild, moderate or severely abnormal.

Depending on the severity of the test, your doctor will prescribe different actions on your part. This will range from scheduling regular cervical smear tests to further tests such as a colposcopy. Most medical practitioners recommend regular screening every 3 to 5 years depending on age and severity of the results.

When do you need a Cervical Smear Test?

Detecting cervical cancer early with a cervical smear test gives you a greater chance at a cure, should cervical cancer be detected. It can also detect changes in your cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future. Detecting these cells early with a Pap smear is your first step in halting the possible development of cervical cancer.

Medical practitioners recommend cervical smear tests three years after first having sexual relations or at age 21, whichever comes first. However, if you have certain risk factors, it is recommended to undergo a smear test annually. These risk factors may include:

• A diagnosis of cervical cancer or a Pap smear that showed precancerous cells
• Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
• HIV infection
• Weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic corticosteroid use

What are the Risks in a Cervical Smear Test?

A cervical smear test is a relatively safe procedure to screen for cervical cancer. Other than feeling uncomfortable at the doctors table, the procedure is very safe.

It is however, not foolproof. It is possible to get negative results for the presence of abnormal cells when you actually have them. This may be due to a variety of reasons such as:

• An inadequate collection of cells,
• A small number of abnormal cells,
• An inaccessible location of the lesion,
• A small lesion,
• Abnormal cells mimicking benign cells, or
• Blood or inflammatory cells obscuring the abnormal cells

The good news is that since cervical cancer takes a very long time to develop, you are likely to detect the abnormal cells next time you go for a cervical smear test. This is one of the main reasons that doctors recommend regular tests.

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