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.

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.

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.

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

Pap Smear is used to detect precancerous conditions of the cervix. We have cytology and HPV testing available to test for premalignant conditions of the cervix.

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.

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.

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.