In 2020, over 600,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer all over the world. A pap smear, or pap test, is an exam gynecologists use to screen for cervical cancer. This procedure reduces cervical cancer mortality rates by at least 80% by revealing changes in cervical cells that can become cancerous down the road. Here is a guide to pap smears. 

Why Are Pap Smears Important?

A pap smear is a 10- to 20-minute procedure at your doctor's office where your gynecologist will scrape cells from the walls of your cervix. These samples of cells are to go to the lab to determine if they show signs of an abnormality. When changes or mutations in cervical cells are spotted, patients have the best chance of early detection and treatment. 

How Often Are Pap Smears Needed?

Women ages 21 to 65 with a cervix that has not been removed from a hysterectomy typically have a pap smear every three to five years. However, the frequency depends on your overall health and whether or not you've had abnormal results in the past. 

Women with a history of cervical cancer, a weakened immune system from chemo or organ transplant, exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth or women who are HIV-positive may need an exam more often. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the number one cause of cervical cancer. When combining HPV testing with a pap smear, your gynecologist may only need to see you every five years.

What Are the Typical Results?

Within a few days, your OB/GYN will have your negative or positive results indicating if there were abnormal cells. A negative result means that your doctor did not find any cancerous or precancerous cells. However, abnormal or positive results do not mean you have cancer. It means your doctor found cells that could be precancerous.

No matter what phase of life you are in, having a trusted OB/GYN specialist in your corner can significantly improve your reproductive health and overall wellness. Genesee Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology is Rochester, New York's one-stop shop for compassionate health care. With a variety of diverse health services, skilled medical professionals can offer the highest level of care. To learn more about these specialists, visit the website or call (585) 232-3210 to schedule an appointment.