Cervical Smear Test: How to Detect Cervical Cancer in Its Earliest Stage

The cervical smear test (also called Pap test - popularly so termed after its Greek inventor, Georgios N. Papanikolaou) is used to detect cervical cancer in its earliest stage. This medical screening method has achieved quite a success, with statistics indicating that the death rate from cervical cancer has dramatically dropped since the cervical smear test was introduced into the medical field in the late 1940s.

The success of the cervical smear test may be attributed to the fact that cervical cancer develops slowly, as it can take several years for cells to become cancerous. Regular pelvic examinations and screening enable physicians to determine the existence of cervical cancer in its most treatable stage; they likewise keep to a minimum the long-term risks associated with a single false-negative result.

But inspite of the impressive accomplishment of the cervical smear test, the number of cases of deaths in North America alone each year from cervical cancer is still something to be concerned about. Doctors rue this fact, saying that cervical cancer is actually nearly 100 percent curable if detected early. The sad reality is that many women are not being tested, and the ratio is becoming progressively greater. Doctors have other concerns: insufficient testing, the wrong conclusions that are sometimes made on some test results, and the failure of some of those who are tested to follow up on abnormal results.

Perhaps one of the questions that has to be clearly answered is, "when should a woman undergo cervical smear test?" The answer to this question, according to the Well Woman Centre, is that "All women who are, or have been, sexually active should have smear tests done." She should undergo the test within six months of first having sexual intercourse, and again six to 12 months later. She may, thereafter, repeat the test at two to three years' intervals depending on the guidelines set by the doctor who initially performed the test on her.

The cervical smear test is a risk-free procedure and takes only a few seconds to perform. The procedure involves the scraping away of some cervical cells, which are then examined in the medical laboratory for any abnormalities; the test result is later prepared, which may either be negative or positive.

If the test result is negative, it indicates that the cells appear normal. A positive test result, on the other hand, indicates that the cells are abnormal, suggesting the existence of a precancerous or cancerous condition. To confirm the findings, doctors recommend follow-up tests or repeat smears, such as the reexamination of the cervix with the use of a colposcope and the removal of cervical tissue for microscopic analysis, or biopsy.

A cervical smear test result may not always be accurate, which means that it can be a false positive or a false negative. A false positive implies abnormalities even when none really do. This can definitely be frightening but additional testing will most certainly reverse the result. A false negative, on the other hand, suggests that the cells are normal when actually they are not. To avoid the potential risk of a false negative result, regular testing is of utmost importance.

To increase the chances of getting an error-free test result, a woman should schedule a test for ten to 20 days after her period begins. Note that cast-off cells and blood make it more difficult to spot abnormalities. A woman likewise needs to refrain from sexual intercourse and douching for a couple of days before undergoing a cervical smear test. [Read the Original Article]

Sources: http://www.wellwomancentre.ie/docs/Cervical_Screening. pdf and http://www.phaa.com/cervical-smear-test.htm