Sexuality and Sexual Health

Sexuality and Sexual Health - Pap Tests and Cervical Cancer

What is a Pap Test?

It is a test for women over the age of 18 years who have been sexually active for two years. There may be a few occasions when a younger woman is recommended to have one- but this is relatively rare. The practitioner uses an instrument called a speculum to see inside the vagina and locate the cervix (entry to the uterus/womb). The test, using a swab, takes some cells from the cervix, which the practitioner places on a glass slide. These are then sent to a lab to determine whether they are normal or not.

How accurate is it?

The Pap Test is 90% accurate in detecting abnormal cells on the cervix. If the first test misses abnormal cells, your second test two years later will usually pick up anything before it becomes a problem. Pap tests are designed to find abnormal cells on the cervix before they develop in to cancer. It takes around ten years for the abnormal cells to become a cancer- so having regular, two yearly pap tests will find abnormalities early.

What happens when abnormalities are found?

Don’t panic. Most Pap Tests are normal and those that aren’t are simply showing changes to the cervix due to minor infections which can be treated easily, or clear up by themselves.
The woman will be referred to a specialist to have a colposcopy performed- a closer look at the cervix with a microscope; sometimes a biopsy and treatment is done at this stage.
But if you get a test result that indicates abnormalities in the cells, these can be treated easily if caught early.

When should I start having a Pap Test?

Women should start having a Pap Test about two years after their first sexual contact or at the age of 18, whichever comes later. All women who have had any type of sexual contact, not just penetrative sex, need a pap test.

Does the Human Papilloma Virus (the virus that can cause warts) have anything to do With Cervical Cancer?

HPV is a very important factor that increases a woman’s chances of developing the cervical cell abnormalites and cancer. Some strains of the HPV has been linked to changes in the cells of the cervix, which in turn may turn cancerous. But most women who get HPV never get cervical cancer. HPV is a very common infection, so, that’s why it’s so important to have a test every 2 years.

I’ve had a Hysterectomy — Do I still need regular Pap Tests?

Some women who have had hysterectomies do need to keep having Pap Tests. Check with your doctor.

And what about Menopause?

Menopause does not protect you from cervical cancer. In fact, most cases of cervical cancer occur in women over 40, so it is important to keep having the test every 2 years until you are 70.

What Causes Cervical Cancer?

The Human Papilloma Virus has been indicated to cause cervical cancer. Not all strains of the HPV cause cervical cancer but some can. They only do so after a persistent infection. If you have regular, two yearly pap smears any early changes should be detected and treated before the cells turn cancerous. Your best protection against cervical cancer is having a pap smear every two years.
Most cases of cervical cancer in Australia are in women who have not had appropriate pap tests - ask your mother and grandmother if they have had their pap test.

HPV Vaccine

There has been a vaccine developed to protect against the most important strains of HPV- the ones most likely to cause cervical cancer. This will be available in late 2006 and will hopefully prevent many cervical cancers in the future. It is still important for women to continue to have pap smears.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

There are often no symptoms although you may have some abnormal bleeding. The ONLY way to know is if your have a Pap Test also known as a Pap Smear.