What is a Pap Smear?
A Pap Smear (or Pap test) is a screening procedure for HPV or any abnormal cells. It tests for the presence of cells on your cervix. The cervix is the opening of the uterus.
You should get regular Pap Smears based on your age, regardless of your sexual activity status.
What should I expect when I have a Pap Smear?
This is a routine procedure that is done at your gynaecologists office. It may cause slight discomfort however, the test is very quick. During the procedure, you’ll lie on your back on an examination table with your legs spread and your feet resting in supports called stirrups. Your doctor will slowly insert a device called a speculum into your vagina. This device keeps the vaginal walls open and provides access to the cervix. Your doctor will scrape a small sample of cells from your cervix with a brush. Most women feel a slight push and irritation during the brief scraping. The sample of cells from your cervix will be preserved and sent to a lab to be tested for the presence of abnormal cells.
What does it mean if my Pap Smear is normal?
Normal or negative results means that no abnormal cells were identified. If your results are normal, you won’t need another test until your gynaecologist tells you it is necessary.
What does it mean if my Pap Smear is abnormal?
If your test results are abnormal, this does not mean you have cancer. It simply means that there are abnormal cells in your cervix, some of which may be precancerous however, you must not panic. Your gynaecologist must be consulted as there are several levels of abnormality. Mild abnormal cells are more common that sever abnormalities. Depending on what the test results show, your gynaecologist may recommend:
- Increasing the frequency of your Pap Smears
- Getting a closer look at your cervical tissue with a procedure called a colposcopy
How accurate are Pap Smear results?
Pap tests are very accurate. Regular Pap screenings reduce cervical cancer rates and protect your health.
What is HPV?
HPV (or Human Papillomavirus) is a viral infection that is passed between people through skin-to-skin contact. There are over 100 different types of HPV, some of which are passed through sexual contact and can affect your genitals, mouth or throat. HPV is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Some cases of genital HPV infection may not cause any health problems. However, some types of HPV can lead to the development of genital warts and in extreme cases of the cervix, anus and throat.
What are the causes of HPV?
The virus that causes HPV infection is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Most people get a genital HPV infection through direct sexual contact. These include vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Because HPV is an infection based on skin-to-skin contact, intercourse isn’t required for transmission to occur.
Many people have HPV and don’t even know it. This means you can still contract it even if your partner doesn’t have any symptoms.
Although rare, it is possible for a mother with HPV to transmit to her baby during delivery. When this happens, the child may develop a condition called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis where they develop HPV-related warts inside their throat or airways.
Is there treatment for HPV in the cervix?
If you have HPV, you will be categorised as high or low risk. If you have an abnormal HPV or Pap test, your gynaecologist will perform a surgical procedure called a colposcopy. The gynaecologist will use a colposcope which provides a magnified view of the cervix and while closely looking at the cervix, they may take samples (biopsy) of any areas that look abnormal. Any precancerous lesions that may be discovered will have to be removed.
What is an Abdominal Hysterectomy?
An abdominal hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that removes your uterus through an incision in the lower abdomen. Your uterus – or womb – is where a baby grows if you are pregnant.
A partial hysterectomy removes just the uterus, leaving the cervix intact.
A total hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix.
What is a Colposcopy?
Colposcopy is a medical diagnostic procedure using a colposcope. A colposcope is a magnifying instrument that has a light and looks like a pair of binoculars on a large stand. The colposcope is used to examine an illuminated, magnified view of the cervix as well as the vagina and vulva. It doesn’t touch or go inside your body. The gynaecologist may coat your cervix and vagina with fluid to highlight any abnormal areas. These areas are magnified between 6 and 40 times which helps to identify the severity of any abnormalities. Many premalignant lesions and malignant lesions in these areas have discernible characteristics that can be detected through the examination.
The colposcopy takes 10-15 minutes.
What is a Hysteroscopy?
A hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your gynaecologist to look inside your uterus in order to diagnose and treat causes of abnormal bleeding. A hysteroscopy is done using a hysteroscope, a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside the uterus.
What is a D&C?
A dilation and curettage (D&C) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside the uterus. Gynaecologists use a D&C to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions – such as heavy bleeding – or to clear the uterine lining after a miscarriage or incomplete evacuation.
What is a LLETZ Procedure?
A large loop excision of the transformation zone, also know as a LLETZ procedure is the most common way of removing cervical tissue for examination and treating precancerous changes of the cervix. The LLETZ procedure is done under general anaesthetic in hospital and takes approximately 10 minutes. The abnormal tissue is removed using a thin wire loop that is heated electrically. Sometimes the Gynaecologist can remove all visible abnormal cells. The tissue sample will be sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope. Results generally take a week.