Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer for women worldwide, with about 660,000 new cases in 2022. But, it is preventable and can be treated relatively easily when detected early. That’s where the Pap smear comes in. With this life-saving test, we can catch cervical cancer before it becomes more serious or spreads to other areas of the body.
What is a Pap Smear?
A Pap smear (also called a Pap test) is a test for cervical cancer. It detects abnormal and cancerous cells in the cervix. We also perform an HPV (human papillomavirus) test during the Pap smear, as HPV is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. The test can also detect certain infections and inflammation of the cervix and surrounding structures. A Pap smear is often performed at the same time as a pelvic exam.
Who Should Have A Pap Smear?
Women or anyone assigned female at birth in Downers Grove should start to have Pap smears at age 21 to test for cervical cancer. The HPV testing during a Pap smear typically starts at the age of 30. How often you should have one depends on your age, medical history, and results of your Pap or HPV test. Most people over the age of 65 no longer need a Pap smear.
If you have risk factors for cervical cancer, you should also regularly have a Pap smear. Some of the risk factors include:
- Family or personal history of cervical cancer
- HIV infection
- Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
- Weakened immune system
- History of smoking
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What to Expect During a Pap Smear
During your Pap smear, Dr. Wolowick or Dr. Mitchell will start by inserting a speculum into the vagina. The speculum is typically made of plastic and is used to ensure we can see your cervix. While you may feel some pressure, you should not feel any pain.
They will then use a small brush to remove cells from your cervix and the surrounding areas. At most, the test will take a few minutes.
What To Expect After A Pap Smear
After your Pap smear in Downers Grove, we’ll check the cells under a microscope for cervical cancer or cell changes that could lead to cervical cancer.
After your Pap smear, you may notice some light bleeding, but that should resolve on its own. You should not experience any pain or cramping afterward.
Your results can take up to three weeks, and Dr. Wolowick or Dr. Mitchell will let you know what the findings are.
If you have an abnormal Pap smear result, the next step is to perform a colposcopy to further examine the area and diagnose if the cells show signs of cervical cancer or not. During the colposcopy, a microscope is used to view the lining of your cervix and vagina. The abnormal tissue will be removed, and those samples will be sent to the lab for testing.
In general, we recommend having a Pap smear every three years from the ages of 21 to 65, although if you have any risk factors for cervical cancer, you may need one more often.
Schedule a Consultation
Put your health first with a Pap smear at MAIA! Dr. Wolowick, Dr. Mitchell, and our team will walk you through each step of the testing process to ensure you’re comfortable. We serve the Aurora, Chicago, Downer’s Grove, and Naperville, IL areas!
To schedule a consultation today, call our Downers Grove, IL office at 630-320-6703 or fill out our online contact form.
