Early Detection Matters: The Power of Regular Pap Smears and HPV Testing
Early Detection Matters: The Power of Regular Pap Smears and HPV Testing
Routine cancer screenings can save lives. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers thanks to Pap smears, which can detect abnormal cells before they even develop into cancer. Still, many have questions about Pap smears: What are they for? How often do I need one? What if I’m nervous?
What Is a Pap Smear?
During a Pap smear, your doctor will use a small brush to scrape a cell sample from your cervix to test for:
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Cervical cancer
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Abnormal cells
HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI) and one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 13 types of HPV are known to cause cervical cancer.
“The reason cervical cancer is so preventable is because the process for an HPV infection to actually grow into cancer takes about 10 years,” says Sabrina Bedell, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at University of Utah Health. “That gives us a lot of time to either catch the HPV infection or see the early changes in the cells, which can be treated before it even becomes a cancer.”
HPV testing can be done at the same time as a Pap smear using the same sample collection. The difference between them lies in the pathology. When the collected samples are sent to a lab for testing, a Pap smear looks for abnormal cells that could develop into cancer, while an HPV test looks for the cancer-causing varieties of the virus.
How Often Do I Need a Pap Smear?
If you have a cervix, you need a Pap smear, but how frequently you get one varies by age and risk factors.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends the following guidelines for cervical cancer screenings:
There are a few exceptions to these guidelines, which include:
- You are HIV positive.
- You have a history of cervical cancer.
- You have a weakened immune system.
- You were exposed to diethystilbestrol (DES) before you were born (DES is a synthetic form of estrogen frequently prescribed to pregnant women from 1940–1971).
Screening is still recommended even if you received the HPV vaccine or if you’ve had a hysterectomy but did not have your cervix removed.
Bedell also encourages women older than 65 to talk to their doctor about their personal and family health history to determine if cervical cancer screenings should continue.
My Results Were Abnormal. Now What?
An abnormal Pap smear does not always mean you have cancer. Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend:
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HPV testing to confirm infection and type.
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Repeating the Pap smear, usually in one year.
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A colposcopy, an in-office diagnostic procedure that uses a microscope to take a closer look at the cervix, vaginal wall, and vulva.
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A biopsy, where your doctor will take a sample of your cervical tissue for testing.
I’m Nervous to Get a Pap Smear. How Do I Prepare?
It’s totally normal to feel anxious before having a Pap smear.
“Our providers at University of Utah Health are trained in trauma-informed care, and the way we do pelvic exams is very patient-centered,” Bedell says. “We’ll say things like ‘I'm going to tell you what I'm doing at all times,’ and ‘If at any time something's uncomfortable, tell me to stop and I’ll stop.’”
For women in Utah or the Mountain West, the Gynecology Conscious Sedation Clinic at University of Utah Health offers patients an option to make Pap smears a little more comfortable. During conscious sedation, pain and anxiety medications are administered via an intravenous (IV) line in the arm. The patient remains awake and responsive during the procedure but will feel calmer and more comfortable.
Other tips to prepare for a Pap smear include:
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Avoid having sex for at least 24 hours before the test.
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Don’t use any vaginal products like creams or douches for two or three days before.
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Try not to schedule your appointment during your period.
These steps help ensure your provider can collect a clean sample for accurate results.
Bottom Line: Don’t Skip Your Pap Smear
Even if you feel completely healthy, regular screenings save lives.
“Pre-cancer and early cancer usually don’t cause symptoms,” Bedell says. “By the time symptoms appear, many patients already have advanced disease that is sometimes beyond being able to treat it or cure with surgery. That may require chemotherapy or radiation.”
Ultimately, staying consistent with cervical cancer screenings is one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term health. Making time for this simple test is a meaningful investment in your well-being, and your care team is here to support your every step of the way.
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