PAP Smear
Pap Smear, also known as Pap Test, is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. It tests for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix. If these cancerous cells are found and treated early, the cancer can be stopped from developing.
What to expect
Doctors often recommend patients to have their PAP Smear done at the age of 21. The test is done by collecting cervical cells with a swab which will be examined for any abnormal growth. It is a simple procedure that can be done within minutes
What to do before the test
-
Don't schedule your test during your period
-
Avoid vaginal intercourse and any vaginal medicine for 3 days before your test.
-
Wear easily removable clothes
After the procedure
-
You will have to send the sample to the hospital for testing.
-
You will get your results from your doctor after 2 weeks.
How the procedure is done
-
After undressing, the doctor will instruct you to lie down and spread your legs. Remember to relax your muscles all throughout the procedure in order to ease the pressure.
-
The doctor will prepare the speculum which is a tube like tool inserted in the vagina to spread the vaginal walls. It is not painful but you will feel pressure or discomfort.
-
Once the tube is inserted, the doctor will take a swab and insert it in the vagina to take the sample cells from the cervical walls.
-
After the sample is collected, the procedure is finished.