How Often Should I Get a Pap Test?

871 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Literature review on cervical cancer

Cancer of the cervix (cervical cancer) affects many women in their reproductive years. It is estimated that in the US, about 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer will occur annually and about 4,000 women will die from the disease. Although the rate of deaths from the disease has fallen in the past decades in the US, it is still one of the leading causes of deaths in women in middle- and low-income countries.
This type of malignancy is often related to HPV (human papilloma virus) infection and both conditions often occur without symptoms.

Taking a regular pap smear test is the best way to screen and diagnose these conditions. In fact, the reason why cervical cancer death rates have declined in the US is the increase in the use of pap test among women in their reproductive years. However, women may ask, "How often do I need a pap test?"

What is a Pap Test?
Pap smear (named after Papanicolaou, the physician who discovered the procedure) is a test used to examine samples of cells taken from a woman’s cervix. The cells, which are smeared on a glass slide are studied by a pathologist to see if there are abnormalities such as infection or malignant (cancerous) changes in the cells.
The pap test is often done as a part of a regular gynecological check-up or as a diagnostic procedure to look for abnormalities in the cervix. It is usually performed by a physician during a pelvic exam with the woman lying on her back and her legs supported by stirrups in a gynecological clinic. The test is painless but some discomfort may be experienced during the pelvic exam when it is done for the first time.

Why is a Pap Test Done?
Cervical cancer affects many adult women in their reproductive years (approximately between 20 to 50 years of age) but it...

... middle of paper ...

...d to perform a pap test is at best given by a doctor. Although the test has reduced mortality rates due to cervical cancer, it does not a guarantee that the disease may be diagnosed correctly, prevented, or cured. It is also important to note that too frequent screening has disadvantages, such as false positive tests, which can lead to more frequent follow up tests. These can lead to patient anxiety as well as unwanted side effects, such as problems related to future pregnancies and deliveries.

Works Cited

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/detailedguide/cervical-cancer-prevention http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/expertvoices/post/2012/03/14/is-a-pap-test-necessary-every-year.aspx#continue http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/detailedguide/cervical-cancer-key-statistics
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/cervical-cancer-topic-overview

Show More
Related

  • Papanicolaou Test Essay

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Papanicolaou test in medical terms can also be known as or be called as the Pap smear, pap test, or smear test. It is a microscopic examination of cell .The purpose of this test is to perceive occurring of precancerous or existing cancerous cells in the opening uterus of the cervix. It also discerns asymmetry in the cells of the cervix (the bottom, narrow end of the uterus.)[1]

    Read More

  • Deductive Reasoning In Rebecca Skloot's Argument

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Pap smear had the potential to decrease that death rate by 70 percent or more, but there were two things standing in its way: first, many women- like Henrietta-simply didn’t get the test; and, second, even when they did, few doctors knew how to interpret the results accurately, because they didn’t know what the various stages of cervical cancer looked like under a microscope.

    Read More

  • Peyronie's Disease

    1196 Words  | 3 Pages

    Noticing a lump in the penis can be a frightening experience. Men are often concerned that they have developed a cancer. Cancer within the penile shaft is very rare indeed, while Peyronie's disease is by far the most common cause of such lumps. If you find a lump, it is important to seek prompt medical advice, but you should not be too fearful that a serious cause will be found

    Read More

  • Research Paper On Obstetrician

    2808 Words  | 6 Pages

    "Women's Health." Pap Test Procedure, Test Results, What Abnormal Results Mean, and More. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. .

    Read More

  • Kaposi Sarcoma Essay

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most of those people’s tumors developed slowly. In AIDS patients, the cancer can develop very quickly and involve the lungs skin and other organs. In people with AIDS, Kaposi sarcoma is caused by a combination of HIV, a weakened immune system, and the human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). People who have kidney or other organ transplants are also at risk for Kaposi sarcoma. African Kaposi sarcoma is also common in young adult males living near the equator. Additionally, one form is also common in young African

    Read More

  • The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

    1596 Words  | 4 Pages

    What is the human papillomavirus (HPV)? According to the US government’s National Cancer Institute, human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a collection of more than one hundred viruses, many types having the ability to grow tumors or polyps that are malignant and others benign. Certain of the viruses are capable of forming genital warts. The HPVs that cause the common warts on hands and feet are different from those that cause growth in the throat or genital area (Human Papillomavirus). Professors Joe Cummins and Dr. Mae-Wan Ho inform us that some types are associated with cancer, and are called “high risk” HPVs. Of the more than one hundred types of HPVs, over thirty can be passed on through sexual contact. Most HPV infections occur without any symptoms and go away without treatment over the course of a few years. However, HPV infection sometimes persists for many years, with or without causing detectable cell abnormalities. Infection from “High risk” types of HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer. Pap smears have also led to earlier detection of these infections. Nearly all women who are sexually active will have HPV inf...

    Read More

  • Breast Cancer Paper

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    Why is this important? Mammograms don’t prevent breast cancer, but they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible (breastcancer.org). It is important to assure the conditions that the person can remain healthy. Screenings for breast cancer helps find cancer early. When it is shown early, it is often treatable. More people will live longer than expected. For instance, mammograms have been shown to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 35% in women over the age of 50. In women between the ages of 40 and 50, the risk reduction appears to be slightly less. (breastcancer.org). Mammograms is an X-ray picture of the breast. It is important to get mammograms once every year. The earlier, the better a person can get rid of the cancerous cells in their body (Levana, 2014).

    Read More

  • Cervical Cancer And HPV Vaccine

    2842 Words  | 6 Pages

    Cervical cancer is formed in the tissues of the cervix, an organ that connects the uterus and the vagina. Virtually all cervical cancers are caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections (Schiffman et. al., 2007). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. According to the CDC, 75% of sexually active people aged 15-49 have the infection at some point in their lives. (CDC). Because HPV infection is usually asymptomatic, infected people do not know exactly when they get the infection. In most cases, the body is able to fight off the virus before any symptom. However, health problems such as genital warts and cancer may result with persistent exposure to HPV.

    Read More

  • Cancer

    968 Words  | 2 Pages

    15. La Vecchia C, Franceschi S, Decarli A, et al. Cigarette smoking and the risk of cervical neoplasia. Am J Epidemiol 1986; 123:22.

    Read More

  • Dental Hygiene Case Study

    1113 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the physical, the physician is not checking for oral cancer and the hygienist sees the patient at least twice a year. Not all exams are used to check for cancer, but you can also check for tonsil stones or salivary stones. One child patient had enlarged tonsils and she told the parent to come look. The parent was surprised and informed Annette that the child had strep throat often, with this extra information Annette suggested seeing the child’s primary care physician and possibly having the child’s tonsils removed. Annette said that if a patient has had a biopsy for possible oral cancer, especially smokers or tobacco consumers, she teaches them to do self-exams at home and informs them to do them once a month.

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Health Screening

    2309 Words  | 5 Pages

    Trevena L. (2009) Cancer screening Reprinted from Australian Family Physician: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales. Vol. 38, No. 4

    Read More

  • Cystitis Essay

    1509 Words  | 4 Pages

    Cystoscopy. Use to remove a small sample of tissue (biopsy) for analysis in the lab. This test most likely won’t be needed if this is the first time patient had signs or symptoms of cystitis.

    Read More

  • Endometrial Cancer

    1488 Words  | 3 Pages

    Uterine cancer is an important women health problem developing rapidly, killing over 200,000 women each year. No one has discovered the actual cause, but there is a leading factor that has great suspicions to what is causing this cancer to grow rapidly.

    Read More

  • letter of confession

    1401 Words  | 3 Pages

    The past two years of my life have been filled with extreme hardship. Although I have had positive things take place in my life, the bad always seems to outweigh the good. When I was going out with Lamar, my high school fling, a gynecologist in Newburgh told me that I had Abnormal Cells and she needed to take a closer look at them. She said not to worry, but that it crucial that she did a procedure to examine the cells carefully because if she didn’t, I could possibly develop Cancer in my Cervix. During this time, mind you, I was having unprotected sex with Lamar and he was the first boy I did that with. This “careful” procedure (known as a biopsy, coposcopy-not really sure how to spell this one) that she performed was one of the most uncomfortable things I ever had to go through. It involves doing something, that makes you feel like you have bad period cramps without having your actual period. After doing this close examination, I did not hear anything again from this doctor until about a year later, which at that time, I considered them incompetent. Before I went away to college, I went to the city to visit my mother’s GYN for a regular pap smear. She then wrote to me in college telling me that my cells were abnormal and that I needed to take some medication (basically this crap that I had to stick up in my coochie). She also told me that I needed to come in so she could do another check-up. So I took the medicine thinking (or rather hoping) that it would clear up whatever was going on down there. I went the GYN in early October. There, she told me that the pap in August should cells of H P V, a sexually transmitted disease, that if left untreated, could cause Cancer.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Medical Checkups

    1541 Words  | 4 Pages

    We concluded that the benefits of regular checkups included early detection of diseases, huge monetary savings and finally, decrease the chance of disruption of personal or family income. It also clear that medical checkup was essential for both men and women. Today, we will discuss the different test and screening for women. In most cases, what test, your doctor recommends will depend on your age, general health condition, and family history among others. Common test and screenings for women include:

    Read More

More about How Often Should I Get a Pap Test?

Open Document