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Pap Smear
The Papanicolaou test (also called Pap smear, Pap test, cervical smear, or smear test) was invented by Georgios Nikolaou Papanikolaou. He was a Greek pioneer in cytopathology and early cancer detection. The PAP test is a screening test to detect possible pre-cancerous and cancerous cells of the endo-cervical canal. A plastic a speculum is used to open the vaginal canal, and an applicator is used to very gently collect cells from the end of the cervix. Special stains are added to the specimen, which is sent to a lab for processing. Cervical cancers are typically caused by sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses (HPV) which most females contract soon after first becoming sexually active. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and other experts recommend starting screening at age 21 (or between ages 20 to 60, and definitely while sexually active. The test is not painful, though it can be temporarily uncomfortable.
460 Questions
What part of the uterus is a pap smear peformed on?
A pap smear is normally taken from the cervix, the end of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina.
Can cervical cancer go undetected in a pap smear test?
Cervical cancer should show up on your pap results of your most recent pap immediately. In some cases a pap may come back abnormal. Depending on the classification of your abnormal pap, doctors may perform a biopsy to make sure the cells aren't cancerous, "cervical cancer". Based on those results the doctor may just go ahead and decide to do treatment.
Does Medicare pay for an annual pap smear exam?
Medicare pays for pap smears at the recommended frequency. Most women do not need pap smears annually. If you do require an annual pap due to your medical history, Medicare will pay.
Are pap smears painful after you get older?
Yes they are. The last 2 I have had have been very painful. I am 57 years old.
Can a dr tell if you are pregnant by a pap smear exam?
Normally urine test is common practice to know pregnancy not so early.
at least 20 to 30 days needed that is after missing period.
Pelvic examination may not be the best method. BUT self
can under stand the situation with her severe abdominal pain
after formation of zygote
How long should you wait to get another pap smear if it comes back abnormal?
Recommendations for testing after an abnormal pap smear depend on the exact pap result, the patient's age, and her medical history. You may be advised to repeat the pap smear anywhere from six months to three years later. Contact your health care provider for advice specific to your situation.
Does an abnormal pap smear mean you have hiv?
no they do not, they only test for cervical cancer
No. Most HIV methods of testing are through blood tests. An HIV test doesn't actual determine if you are carrying HIV, but it tests if your blood is carrying a specific anti-body that reacts to HIV. Therefore, even if you have HIV, a test will be negative until your body produces the anti-body that will make a test react positive. In most cases, anti-bodies for HIV will develop in a person within 3 months of being exposed to HIV.
Newer forms of HIV rapid testing can be done using saliva (technically not saliva, but oral fluid released from the mucosal surface of the cheek), and also test for antibodies in the oral fluid. They are less sensitive than blood testing, but still very useful in many settings.
Pap smears test for abnormalities in cells, and not specifically for HIV anti-bodies. It is my understanding that this test is an "indicator test" only. Meaning, further tests must be done to determine if cancer is present (as well as if HIV is present).
No, it is not designed to detect HIV. If you are concerned, you should get tested specifically for HIV.
No, HIV will not show up on a PAP test.
A Negative pap smear test means good right?
It means that the test that is done to check for changes in the cells of the cervix (that can mean disease or pre-cancer cells are present) didn't find anything to be concerned about (it was normal). A positive pap smear would mean that they found something to have the doctor follow up and do more tests.
What is Pap stand for in Pap Smear?
A sample that is taken out of the cervix by your health care professional (doctor) when you reach a certain age (typically when you are sexually active), to ensure that there is nothing wrong in that area eg. cervical cancer, sti's...
What do reactive changes mean in a pap smear?
Mild acute inflammation on a pap smear, by itself, is not a cause for concern. Talk with your health care provider about whether additional testing for infection is required in your situation.
Is a bacterial infection test the same as a chlamydia test?
Testing for chlamydia is very specific. A regular bacterial culture or wet smear will not detect chlamydia.
What does a satisfactory pap smear mean?
Searching with the same question, I found this answer at: http://www.drfeelgood.com.au/articles/tests/understanding_pap_smears.htm The canal inside the cervix (endocervical canal) which leads to the uterus cavity is lined by cells which make a transition to become those of the internal lining of the uterus. The transition point can easily vary from woman to woman and even from time to time in the same woman. This transition is not visible with the naked eye. One theory is that the abnormal calls occur at the point of transition. This is why a doctor aims to get a sample from the endocervical canal. A pap smear result routinely reports the presence or absence of these endocervical cells. The aim is to have a representation of endocervical component ensuring that the transition point has been past. It is important to check with your doctor that the endocervical component is present. I always use a brush inserted into the cervix canal when I do a pap smear . I tell the patient whether I feel I have adequately sampled the area. If there is no endocervical component present I discuss with the patient that forcing the brush up any further may not be appropriate. We discuss risks versus benefits of screening tests and decide together whether we will take any further action on the matter.
Will it change the results if you have intercourse before a pap smear?
There are no special considerations orconcerns about having intercourse after a pap smear. You can have sex on the way home from a pap without any special health worries.
Should you be embarrassed during a pap test?
I've had them before, and I didn't feel embarrassed or self-conscious
Its the same as any pelvic exam......never something one looks forward to but extremely commonplace in the life of a woman. Like everyone else, you just get thru it and go on with you life.
How does a cervical smear test help prevent diseases?
The purpose of a cervical smear, otherwise known as a pap smear, is a test to screen any abnormalities within a woman's reproductive organs. Abnormalities can range from any signs of cancerous cells as well as sexually transmitted diseases like the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The exam is usually conducted with an OBGyN, whom recommend that women begin screening in their early 20's, or if she is sexually active, and get a pap smear every 3-5 years after that.
Can you tell if your pregnant from a pap smear?
he sure can, he can also tell you how far you are too
What does scant squamous epithelial component mean when you have a pap smear?
It means that the doctor didn't get enough cells from the pap/swab to be evaluatable. I just had one done and it read that way too and I asked what it meant too. Hope this helped
Does pap smear make chances of pregnancy higher?
If your asking if pap smears make it easier to get pregnant, then you don't really understand how women get pregnant or what a pap smear is or is for. You get pregnant because sperm has been deposited into the uterus in whatever manner. You get a pap smear to determine the health of the vagina and cervix. One does NOT equal the other and should never be assumed to be related.
Does going off the pill effect your pap smear test?
Stopping the birth control pill will not normall affect a pap smear test. The exception is a woman in menopause who stopped estrogen many months before the pap smear; this patient may have a higher risk for an inadequate, but not abnormal, pap result.
Can you go swimming after leep procedure?
Swimming is usually not permitted for a month after Laser Eye surgery (Lasik) after which there should be no problem at all. It is however advisable to use swimming goggles to avoid risk of infection when swimming in untreated water.
What are some the common diagnosis discovered during pap smear?
A pap smear looks for cervical cancer and precancerous changes on the cervix. It's a screening test, so it doesn't diagnose disease directly, but points out those patients who need further testing.
Can herpes affect a pap smear?
Yes, you can have herpes and still have a normal pap smear. Herpes affects pap smears only very rarely -- only if the patient is having an outbreak on the cervix at the time of the test.
If you are a virgin can you still get a pap smear?
Yes, many young girls that have never been sexually active have pap smears. If you tell your clinician that this is your first pelvic exam, they will use a very small speculum, and tell you what to expect before they do the exam
i dont see why not
Can cancer cells be found in a pap smear?
A PAP smear looks for cellular abnormalities associated with cervical cancer. While it may occasionally raise questions that eventually lead to recognizing the presence of HPV, that is not its function or expectation.
Please visit your obsetrician to get an answer. Don't take the chance of getting a wrong answer from ordinary people. Most health questions should be directed to your own physician.
