PAP test
A test that every woman should know about: what it is, who it is for, how often to take it and why.
PAP test
The PAP test is a test that every woman should know about.
What it is and why it's important to have it regularly, explained by an obstetrician-gynecologist and podcast host.
What is it?
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer among women worldwide. Cervical cancer can be cured if it is diagnosed at an early stage and treatment is started immediately.
The PAP test, Papanicolaou smear, Papanicolaou test or cytology smear is a test that can detect precancerous or cancerous cells in the vagina and cervix. It is quite effective at identifying precancerous changes in the epithelium: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of varying severity.
Put simply, it is a procedure in which a smear is taken from the walls of the cervix and from the cervical canal (bits of epithelium) and examined under a microscope.
Who is it for?
The PAP test is recommended for all women over 21.
Especially for women:
1. With high-risk (oncogenic) HPV.
2. With areas of altered epithelium diagnosed during a colposcopy of the cervix.
After 65, if previous tests were negative, there is no longer any need to be screened for cervical cancer.
How often?
According to some national guidelines: annually.
International guidelines consider testing every 3-5 years preferable.
Why?
With regular check-ups, the PAP test makes it possible to diagnose cancer at an early stage.
Good news: the effectiveness of the PAP test is confirmed by a drop in deaths from cervical cancer.
