7 essential tips before a Pap test

The Pap smear (Pap test) is a screening test for cancer of the cervix, often called ‘neck of the womb’. It identifies the precancerous and cancerous stages of cervical cancer.

Regular cervical screening is an effective way of preventing cancer of the cervix. It can be done every 3 – 5 years depending on your age and your doctor’s prescription.

For most women, it sounds hazy and uncomfortable when it comes to tests involving anything below the belt. But it is a rather simple test that needs nothing more than an appointment and your presence. So to get the best of every Pap test, here are tips:

Get an appointment at the right time: Avoid booking an appointment during your menses or immediately after (you could be turned down at the clinic because of this). So aim for a week before or after your menses.

No vaginal ‘visitors’: These include no sexual intercourse, no douching (not advisable for the vagina at all), no tampons, no medication, no vaginal lubrication or cream for two days before your test date. These ‘visitors’ tend to interfere with the cervical tissue and thus, may mask the Pap smear result.

Dress comfy: The test involves getting undress down below, so kindly wear clothes that are easy to get in and out of (to make it an easy something). Dresses and skirts are quite ideal.

Do a pee: The test might make one quite uncomfortable with an urge to urinate, so endeavour to use the restroom before the test procedure.

Not painful at all: There might be some discomfort during the test but be reassured it not a painful procedure. So relax.

Ask all “questions’: If you have things you need to clarify about cervical screening test and cervical cancer especially if it is your first pap smear, ask the doctor. Preferably write them down (in your phone or diary) before your test date so that you do not forget. Discuss previous Pap smear results especially the abnormal ones.

Finally, ask for result collection date.

However, to understand more about cervical cancer and why Pap smears:

Do you know that cervical cancer kills over 250,000 women globally? 85 per cent of the deaths occur in low and middle income nations like Nigeria, it originating from uterine cervix, the neck of the womb, which is located at the lower end of the uterus extending into the upper part of the vagina.

Cervical cancer usually starts with changes to the cells of the cervix, called dysplasia.

Symptoms are heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge (more than usual), bleeding after sex, between periods or after a pelvic exam, pain during sex or urination

What are the risk factors of getting cervical cancer?

Any woman can get cervical cancer, but some women are at higher risk because of factors such as: Having the Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV), not getting screened, smoking, multiple sex partners and age. Any woman over 30 is more likely to get cervical cancer.

HPV is a sexually transmitted virus; it can cause cervical cancer in women. Many women will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives, but few will get cervical cancer.

What are the chances of lowering the risk of getting Cervical Cancer?

The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical cancer. It is recommended for both males and females.

In females, the HPV vaccine helps to prevent cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers. It also protects against cancer of the anus, mouth and throat.

Cervical cancer can be prevented or found early with regular screening tests.

There are two screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early: A Pap test also called is an exam a doctor uses to test for cervical cancer in women. It also reveals changes in the cervical cells that may turn into cancer later.

Catherine Mbakwe, founder Health Tori, college of Health science and University College London (UCL) institute for Women’s Health.

CATHERINE MBAKWE