Pap smear, or simply smear test, is a tool that contributes to the successful outcome of the treatment, as it can diagnose cancerous lesions that are still in the formation stage, which are used in cervical cancer screening.
When is the Pap Smear Test Performed?
The Pap Smear Test, which is quite simple and does not cause any pain, should be done 3 years after the first sexual intercourse or after the age of 21.
Pap Smear Test, which is suitable to be done once a year for women younger than 30 years old, should be done 3 times consecutively for women older than 30.
How to Perform the Smear Test?
After the test is placed on the examination table, it begins by opening the vaginal canal with the help of a tool called a speculum and taking a swab with a brush-like stick from the region of the cervix called the transformation zone.
Then, this swab is spread directly on a slide and examined under a microscope, or in the other liquid-based method, the swab is placed in a liquid, subjected to various processes and cells are scanned.
The purpose of both methods is to examine the cells taken from the cervix to detect cancer or lesions that may become cancerous.
The procedure is painless and takes 15-30 seconds.
What are the Points to Consider Before Pap Smear Test?
Points to be considered before having a Smear Test;
- 10-20 days have passed since the start of the last menstrual period,
- no sexual intercourse within 48 hours before the test,
- not cleaning the vagina,
- no medication or cream should be applied to the vagina before the test,
- if there is any genital infection, the treatment should be completed before the test.
Paying Attention While Taking Samples What are the Requirements?
There are some conditions that should be considered in order to ensure the accuracy of the test.
One of them is that the number of cells in the sample taken with the help of a stick during the test is sufficient for evaluation. Evaluations with samples containing an insufficient number of cells may give inaccurate results.
Another situation is that the sample is taken from the transformation zone. HPV causing transformation zone cervical cancer It is the target point of the virus named. The cells (epithelium) forming the surfaces of the internal and external genital structures in women are different from each other.
The point where these cells meet each other is the squamocolumnar junction. The resultant is located on the outer part of the cervix before puberty, and after puberty it moves towards the inner parts. The region between the old and new position of this compound is called the transformation zone. Since there is a constant change in the zone, this part is sensitive to external influences such as HPV. HPV, which causes more than 99% of cervical cancers, can infect the cells in this zone and initiate a process that progresses towards cancer.
For all these reasons, it is very important that the sampling be done from the transformation zone in order to give the correct result of the smear test.
What Can Be the Results of the Smear Test?
Negative result: The cervical cells in the sample taken it is completely normal. No treatment is required. You can wait until your next smear test.
Positive result: There are abnormalities in cervical cells in the samples taken. These results are;
- ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance): In this case, there is a change in cervical cells. However, it is not fully understood whether this change is the onset of cancer or a benign lesion. Requires further investigation.
- LSIL (low grade intraepithelial lesion): Abnormalities in cervical cells are mild. It is generally seen as a result of infections with HPV in the low risk group, which is self-excreted.
- HSIL (high grade intraepithelial lesion): Changes in cells are evident. It is a group that needs attention in terms of the risk of developing into cancer.
- ASC-H (high grade atypical squamous cells): The change in cells is similar to HSIL.
- AGC (atypical glandular cells): Changes belonging to different types of cells in the cervix can be in the form of changes.
What Should Be Done If the Smear Test Is Abnormal?
You should not be alarmed when your test result is abnormal. Not every abnormal result means cancer. You should apply to a specialist physician, get the necessary information about your result and have further examinations done.
One of the further evaluations to be made in a patient with an abnormal test result. i is colposcopy. Colposcopy is a procedure that allows you to closely examine your cervix.
The cervix of the patient, who is taken to the gynecological examination table, is examined with the help of an instrument called colposcope. During this procedure, various chemical tests can be performed, as well as biopsy.
Another method in further evaluation is to determine the type of HPV that causes changes in the cervical cells of the patient. In this way, it is determined whether HPV is low or high risk. The probability of developing cancer is much higher in people infected with high-risk HPV.
Does Pap Smear Test Always Give Correct Results?
Like every test, the smear test has its margin of error. However, repeating the smear test regularly will reduce the margin of error.
Who Should Have the Smear Test?
The test can be done after the age of 20. However, infection with HPV is very common at young ages and most of the infections at this age go away on their own. Therefore, testing at an early age causes us to detect many cases that will not turn into cancer in the future. It is better to start testing a little further in terms of proper use of resources.
Sexually active, women over 30 years of age are recommended to have a smear test.
Who are the Persons for whom the Smear Test is Not Required?
Persons for whom the Smear Test is not required ;
- People who have undergone total hysterectomy (removal of uterus for benign reasons),
- People who have cervical lesion but have negative results in 3 consecutive tests and have undergone total hysterectomy,
- It can be said as women who are over 70 years old and have had 3 negative smear tests in the last 10 years.
Why is Cervical Cancer Screened?
Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women in the world. It is the 9th most common cancer in our country. Especially in developing countries, many women die from cervical cancer.
Screening plays a very important role in reducing deaths caused by cervical cancer. As with other cancer screenings, the aim of cervical cancer screening is to diagnose the disease at an early stage. Detection of the disease at an early stage is much more effective than treatment. It should not be forgotten that it made it successful.
It has been shown that 5-year survival rates exceed 90% with appropriate treatment in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer in its early stages. With early diagnosis, patients are
- treated in a shorter time.
- The hospital stay is short.
- Patients are treated with drugs and treatment methods with less side effects.
- The patient's quality of life is higher during the treatment.
- In addition, thanks to early detection of diseases in cancer screenings, effective use of resources in economic terms is ensured.
Do Women Who Have Been Taken HPV Vaccine Need Testing?
HPV vaccine does not protect against all HPV types. The vaccine has no effect against some HPV types, and therefore, it would be appropriate for women who have been vaccinated with HPV to have a Smear Test.
Read: 0
