Who needs A Pap Smear Test?

Every Women does. Especially if you're sexually active and between the ages of 20 and 70. And you should continue to have Pap smear tests even if you have reached menopause or are no longer sexually active. As long as you had sex once, even with only one man, you should have regular Pap smear tests. A Pap smear test should be an extremely important part of your health care routine.

 Why Do I need a Pap Smear Test?

Pap smear tests are used as a routine screening method for cancer of the cervix or cervical cancer. The test can detect changes in the cells covering the surface of the cervix. These changes in the cells, known as "pre-cancerous changes", do not mean that you have cervical cancer. What it does mean is that your cells are abnormal and therapy to treat these potentially cancerous cells must begin immediately. Otherwise, these abnormal cells could become cancerous. The Pap smear test can actually save you from developing invasive or established cervical cancer. The Pap smear test can save your life.

 What is Cancer of the Cervix?

Our bodies are made up of millions of tiny cells, the building blocks of our bodies. These cells usually grow and divide in an orderly manner. Sometimes however, for reasons not often understood, some of our cells start growing and dividing in an uncontrolled way. When this happens, we say that those cells have turned cancerous or malignant. The cervix is located at the base of your womb, at the top of your vagina. In cancer of the cervix, it is the cells in the cervix which have become malignant. Cancer of the cervix is the most common cancer to affect the female reproductive system.

 How is a Pap Smear test done?

There's nothing to be afraid of or embarrassed about when you have a Pap smear test done. It only takes 'five' minutes. You will lie comfortably on your back with your knees drawn up and apart. Your doctor will use an instrument called a vaginal spculum to hold the walls of your vagina apart. Using a small wooden spatula your doctor will gently scrape some cells off your cervix. These cells will be smeared onto a slide and stained for analysis under the microscope.

 Is the test Painful?

A Pap smear test may be only slightly uncomfortable but it will not cause you any pain or lasting discomfort. It would help though if you relaxed and breathed deeply while the doctor is taking the cell sample. This way, your muscles will be more relaxed and it will be easier for the doctor to take the sample.

 How accurate is the Test?

Like any other screening test, the Pap smear test is not totally fool-proof. What sometimes happens is that the sample does not include any abnormal cells, though they may be present or that some Pap smear tests are difficult to interpret. It is however, the best screening method for the prevention of cancer of the cervix available today. The key to prevention of cancer of the cervix is to have regular Pap smear tests which can detect abnormal cells in the cervix.

 When Should I be tested?

You should have your first Pap smear test once you are sexually active and it should be repeated after one year. Thereafter, the Pap smear can be done annually or once every two or three years, as advised by your doctor. Try to schedule a test midway between two periods. If you have reached menopause, any time of the month would be suitable.

 Why is it important to have regular tests?

As we mentioned, regular testing is important in detecting abnormal cells in the cervix early. The cure rate for the pre-cancerous stage is 100%. It is thus very much worth the little time and effort it takes to have the test. It is also important because many a time, many woman have no idea that something has gone wrong with their cervix, in many cases, cervical cancer does not exhibit any symptoms.

 Why is a Pap smear so Important?

There are a variety of reasons why Pap smear tests are important -
- Because cervical cancer is the 4th common cancer in Singaporean women
- Because cervical cancer can be detected by a Pap smear test.
- Because chances of a cure are high if it is at a pre-cancerous stage.

Read more - Gynaecologist in Singapore

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