๐๐š๐ฉ ๐’๐ฆ๐ž๐š๐ซ: ๐–๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐๐จ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฆ๐ž๐ง ๐ง๐ž๐ž๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ?

  • Pap Smear for Cervical Cancer Screening

PAP smear also known as cervical smear or theย Papanicolaou test is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially pre-cancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix, an opening or mouth of the uterus.ย If the result of the PAP smear is abnormal then the abnormal findings are often followed up by moreย advanced and sensitive diagnostic procedures to confirm the diagnosis.ย The test was invented by and named after the prominent Greek doctor Georgiosย Papanicolaou. This a routine test recommended to all women when they become sexually active.

Pap Smear: A recommendation for women

Regular preventive care is one of the most important ways to maintain your health over time. ACOG (American Collegeย of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)ย alsoย recommends in its guidelineย aboutย the annual well woman health check-ups to rule outย any diseased condition for the better assessment or outcome. PAP smear is oneย ofย the other tests to detect any abnormal changes in the cervix.ย This is a very simple, easy and effective method of cervical cancer screening. It is done in OPD itself and hence requires no hospital admission. No anaesthesia, no other medications are required to do the test.ย If you wait to see a doctor only when you notice a problem, it may be too late.

When to have a Pap Smear?

Current guidelines from the ACOGย recommend that women should have a Pap smear (LBC, Liquid Based Cytology) every three years starting at age 21 along with HPV DNA every 5 years starting at age 30. After age 65, you may not need the test if youโ€™ve had three normal Pap test results in a row and if your immune system has not been weakened by a virus or recent health condition.

It is the fourth most common cancer in women aged 15โ€“44 years.ย It is possible to prevent deaths due to cervical cancer through various strategies that target women > 30 years for screening and treatment. Theย PAP test is helpful inย significant reduction in mortality and morbidityย due to cervical cancerย among womenย in developedย & developing countries.

In India, the onus of preventing cervical cancer is on the women themselves.ย If the women are made aware, knowledgeable and motivated for the screening tests then it is the best step to ensure the wellness of women in India. As everybody knowsย โ€˜PREVENTIONย IS BETTER THAN CUREโ€™ the PAP test is a step forward towards the health of the woman, so getting the test done is a good option. A few uncomfortable moments in a hospital may just end up saving your life in time.

To know more about cervical cancer, clickย What you need to know about cervical cancer

 

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