Pap Smears

Each year tens of thousands of young women should be thinking about whether they should start having their Pap smear done. So what is this smear test, how is it done and is it really necessary now that girls are having HPV vaccinations at school?

But first a few essential facts:

Who should have a Pap smear?

Local, national and international experts differ on when and how often Pap smears should be performed. So here’s my guide to when and how often:

You can safely stop if you have had a total hysterectomy for a non cancerous condition, as the cervix will have been removed with the uterus.

What do the results mean?

A normal test means that there have been no abnormal cells detected and it is 95% certain that there is no cancer. A positive test doesn’t mean that you have got cancer, it means that you have some abnormal cells and it’s wise to have a closer look at your cervix and more tests.

In other words, here in WA, you should see a specialist in that area who will review your findings and suggest a colposcopy and biopsy. A colposcope is an instrument that allows the specialist to get close to the cervix and magnify it greatly for more detailed inspection. Any suspicious areas can then be biopsied for examination in the laboratory.

How can we reduce the risk of developing problems with the cervix?

Discussing being immunised against HPV infections before the infection finds you!