Every woman should make it a priority to schedule a pap smear for their health and continued quality of life as well as those they know. Cervical cancer is the second highest cause of death among American women and it doesn’t have to be. A simple test called a Pap smear increases your odds for surviving tremendously. Every sexually active woman in America is at risk without this amazingly simple test.
But first, what exactly is a Pap smear?
For those who don’t know or never had one – a pap-screen test (or smear) is a simple and painless test done in only minutes in a doctor’s office or clinic. Cells are gently scraped from the cervix and examined under a microscope. A Pap test may detect abnormal cells in the cervix caused by HPV (Human Papilloma virus), which often precedes cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be prevented or cured by removing the abnormal cells before they become cancerous. And this is what the Pap smear was created for, since there are no early ‘outward’ symptoms women should get the tests done regularly. This test looks for abnormal changes in the cervical cells and can even spot conditions where the cells might develop into cancer. It is also essential in screening for this type of cancer – cervical cancer that is claiming lives needlessly all for want of a simple test!
Just to be clear, the cervix is located in the lower part of a woman’s uterus. And, although it is a serious disease, it can be prevented and cured if detected early enough. And that is the key! This HPV virus causes 99.7% of all cervical cancers but be aware – HPV is not the same as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV- which causes AIDS) or herpes simplex virus (HSV, which causes genital herpes). The differentiating factor is being sexually active and/or too many sexual partners and it is known that many adults may well be infected with HPV at some point in their life. There are many types of HPV spread by skin-to-skin contact in the genital area but HPV causes no symptoms and usually goes away on its own. However, high-risk HPV can stay in the body for a period of years and can cause cervical cancer. This is where having this screening can make a major difference in continued good health and quality of life, not just for your sake but those of your family and loved ones.
But, in today’s society, crippling financial ills have impacted the chances of surviving this dreaded disease. Many women, due to lack of health insurance and/or financial struggle, go without a regular Pap smear (if at all!). But, in the past few years, thanks to expanding government and private organizational programs, no woman has to go without a regular Pap smear for those reasons.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Pap Smears (but were afraid to ask!)
It’s not widely known but women should begin having a regular Pap smear after becoming sexually active. Some resources say as early as 3 years after depending on other criteria.
Now, for those women who have never had a Pap smear and are afraid (or simply anxious) about being screened may have several overriding reasons. Several of those (and very valid!) maybe attributed to a poor understanding of what a Pap smear is, or how it’s done or what to expect afterwards.
If the Pap smear determines abnormalities or cervical changes a colposcopy is ordered. A colposcopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows the doctor to examine the cervix much more closely and in greater detail.
But, the first step in preparing for a Pap smear is to make the appointment. And KEEP it!
Please! This New Year-2008- make a serious commitment and face your fears or anxieties by making (then keeping) the appointment. No excuses! Also, your fears maybe groundless but that is the whole purpose of the Pap smear!
The following is a short list of the things you can do to prepare for your first Pap smear. Forty-eight hours before your Pap smear appointment please take note:
·
Avoid vaginal intercourse
·
Avoid vaginal foams, gels, suppositories, etc.
·
Avoid tampon use.
·
Avoid douching or vaginal inserts (including dildos, etc.)
·
Do not schedule your appointment during your period. Although a Pap smear may be done during a very light period, it is best to schedule it before it begins or at its finish.
All of these can interfere with the accuracy of the exam, which is the last thing you want to trifle with! Regular Pap smears can prevent most forms of invasive cancers of the cervix. So, no matter your age, make the appointment and keep it.
Now, what happens next, after you arrive for the test?
First, you will be asked to undress from the waist down. You will be given a sheet or blanket to place over your mid-section and upper thighs, so you will not be completely naked or uncomfortably cold.
Next, you will be asked to lie down on the examination table and place your feet up in stirrups and to hold your feet in place during the examination. Stirrups are usually cold, so you may want to bring a pair of socks to shield your feet. If the physician is conscientious (or a woman) they may wrap the stirrups for your comfort in advance. (I’ve had this happen a number of times and it makes a difference! Some will even warm up the blanket or sheet for you if you ask ahead of time).
A well-lubricated (metal) speculum will then be inserted into the vagina. Now this can be a bit uncomfortable, so remember to take deep breaths and try to relax, as this will also help the vaginal muscle to relax, making the entire exam less uncomfortable or daunting.
Using a small brush or swab, a doctor will take a few sample cells from the cervical wall thru the opening of the speculum. The doctor will, very gently, rub off the cervical wall with the brush or swab. Some women have no sensation when this is done, while some experience mild discomfort (but it tends to pass fairly quickly).
This sample is then placed in a tube with a special preserving solution (or on a slide) and then sent to a lab for testing.
After the sample is taken, the speculum is removed gently (and slowly!) from the vagina. You are then told to sit up and get dressed. Your Pap smear is now over!
Now, don’t forget, before leaving the doctor’s office or clinic, ask your doctor or nurse how the office notifies patients of their results and when you should expect to get the results. Some doctors send results by mail and some by phone, but in general, it takes about two weeks for your Pap smear results to come back.
Now, you simply wait for the results. But keep in mind that while the Pap smear is an effective screening tool for cervical cancer, it is only effective when done on a continuing basis so be sure to ask your practitioner how often you should have the Pap smear. According to statistics, Pap smear scheduling varies from one woman to the next and can be based on contributing factors such as age, general health and previous Pap smear history (or lack of).
FYI – more statistical facts – Cervical cancer affects women in every demographic of American life, but the incidence and mortality rates for cervical cancer are highest among low income or poverty-stricken African American and Hispanic women! Widespread availability of Pap screening has led to a steady general decline in U.S. cervical cancer deaths, but more than half the women who now develop cervical cancer have either rarely (or never had) a Pap smear! More has to be done to get the word out!
But, as I mentioned before, if money (or lack of medical insurance) is stopping you these are now non-issues as the healthcare and medical communities are addressing this directly, more and more, as time goes on.
If your excuse is you are too busy, in today’s modern world, you must make a promise to yourself and your loved ones that by making this New Year’s resolution to take this Pap smear you may very well avoid or nearly prevent a serious form of cancer. No one can force you to care for your OWN health and life and anything LESS might be construed as self-destructive or even suicidal!
Now, if you are a woman who already takes the pap smear, perhaps you know of other women who do not! Then – please- urge them to do so. Pass this information to family and friends. Forward to everyone you feel that can benefit from it. You never know what one person can do to affect the quality of life for themselves or others. It’s in your power to make a difference!
Where Are The Pap Smears Given and How Much Do They Cost?
Free (or low cost) Pap smears are now being widely touted if you just become aware of the programs or the potential resources that may have the information.
One resource is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which can be reached via a toll-free l# (1-800-CDC-INFO or 232-4636). The CDC will pass onto you program(s) in your state providing free or low-cost Pap testing for low-income, uninsured, and ‘failing to qualify’ women. Nationally, these programs are only reaching about 20% of the women between the ages of 50 and 64 who are eligible. Again, make the commitment, for yourself and do pass the number on to other women in your life. Try letting other women know at your place of employment or your place of worship or even at PTA meetings, etc. Get the word out! Make a difference and change those statistics and drop the number of women who are not surviving this very curable disease.
Some other great resources are low cost clinics like county health departments, family health clinics and urgent care centers , which may offer Pap smear programs (or can refer you to those that do) and may be able to determine your qualifying for FREE (or nearly free) screenings based on your income, lack of full medical coverage or simply ‘falling thru the cracks’ of the system.
Additionally, look into The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. It is a federally funded program that assists uninsured and impoverished women in getting regular Pap smears. The program is open to eligible women ages 18 to 64 and is one of the programs signed by President Bush.
Also, you might be surprised to learn that your local Planned Parenthood may offer low cost Pap smears as well. Planned Parenthood is an organization that offers sexual and reproductive health care programs to individuals, regardless of income. You can locate your local Planned Parenthood Chapter or clinic by visiting their website or by calling (800) 230-PLAN.
And, finally, if all else fails, just do a search thru your Yellow Pages or any good online resource or search engine by typing in your zip code or city and state. There is no excuse for missing out on something that is provided FREE (or at low cost) that can save your life or the lives of your loved ones and/or others.
One thing to keep in mind – the surest form of prevention of HPV, and possible cervical cancer, is sexual abstinence. If you do decide to be sexually active, limit your sexual partners because the number of partners you and your partner have may increase -exponentially – the chance of HPV infection! Also, engaging in sexual activity at a young age may also make HPV infection more likely as time goes on.
Medical Advancements, Discoveries and Alternatives
Medical breakthroughs, alternatives treatments and scientific advances all are happening with greater urgency by dedicated medical schools and advanced scientific technologies by doctors and scientists committed to ending Cervical cancer deaths in our lifetime!
Fairly new are two vaccines, now available, that have been created so that when combined, protect against four types of HPV, including the two types of HPV, which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases. Ask about these if your test results are positive and about the rate of cures or remissions.
Also, look into alternative options if your test results come back positive.
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/
www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/cervicalcancer
http://www.cancerfightingstrategies.com/index.html
