Pap tests, also known as Pap smears, look for abnormal cell changes in the cervix that could indicate cervical cancer. Pap tests can detect changes in cells caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), but not HPV itself. Pap tests may be performed as part of a routine physical examination, pelvic exam, or women’s wellness checkup.
What can I expect during my pap smear?
A metal or plastic speculum is inserted into your vaginal canal during a Pap test by your doctor or nurse. The speculum expands up to allow them access to your cervix by separating the vaginal walls. They next gently collect cells from your cervix with a little sampler, a tiny spatula, or a brush. The cells are sent to be examined at a lab. They simply take a few minutes and are usually painless. During the exam, you may feel some discomfort or pressure.
Who should get a pap smear?
At the age of 21, it’s common to begin receiving pap smears on a regular basis. The frequency with which you are tested after that is determined by your age, medical history, and the findings of your most recent Pap or HPV test. These are the general guidelines:
- If you’re between the ages of 21 and 29, you should obtain a Pap test every three years (at age 25, your doctor may switch to an HPV test).
- If you’re between the ages of 30 and 65, you should obtain a Pap test plus an HPV test (co-testing) every 5 years, or only a Pap test or HPV test every 3 years.
Please keep in mind that if you’ve had previous cervix problems, have a weak immune system, or if your mother used the drug DES while she was pregnant with you, you may need to be tested more frequently. Your doctor or nurse will advise you on the tests you require and how frequently you should have them performed.
Planned Parenthood
Low-cost Pap smears may be available at your local Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that provides sexual and reproductive health care to people of all financial levels. Planned Parenthood clinics can be found by visiting their website or calling (800) 230-PLAN.
What is the cost of Pap smear test?
The cost of a Pap smear varies, as it does with most medical procedures, but in the United States, it normally costs $50 to $150 without insurance. Pap smears are usually covered by insurance. These costs do not include the cost of a full pelvic exam, which normally includes a Pap smear. There are other health clinics where these treatments are provided free of charge to patients.
Pap smears may be covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Check with your insurance provider to see if they are covered.
What can you do instead of a Pap smear?
A pelvic exam is frequently performed in conjunction with a Pap smear. The Pap test may be paired with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical cancer, in women over the age of 30. The HPV test may be used instead of a Pap smear in some instances.
Where can I get a Pap smear?
Where can I get a Pap test done? A Pap test can be obtained from your doctor or nurse, a community health clinic, the health department, or a Planned Parenthood health facility near you.
Does a pap smear test for STDS?
No. Pap tests, commonly known as Pap smears, examine your cervix for any cell abnormalities that could develop to cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV), an STD, is frequently responsible for cell alterations. Pap tests, on the other hand, only look for cell alterations, not whether or not you have HPV.
If you wish to be tested for STDs, make a specific request. Also, keep in mind that there is no such thing as a universal STD test that covers everything. You should discuss your sexual history with your doctor or nurse, and together you can determine which STDs you should be tested for.
How can I make a smear test less painful?
This month, from the 18th to the 24th of January, Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is held to promote awareness about the need of regular screening tests in preventing cervical cancer.
Each year, more than 3,000 cases of cervical cancer are discovered in the United Kingdom, with the majority of cases caused by a strain of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted illness. Cervical cancer is one of the top three cancers affecting women under the age of 45, despite the fact that the average age of diagnosis is 53 years.
Cervical cancer can be treated successfully if detected early with a smear test, thanks to years of research. This is a basic regular test that takes no more than five minutes; it should be harmless, but due to the sensitivity of the area in which it takes place, some patients may find it uncomfortable or embarrassing. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of suggestions to make your next smear test more bearable.
Remember that your GP or gynaecologist has seen many vaginas before
There’s no need to be self-conscious about your doctor viewing your vaginal area. They’ve probably done thousands of pelvic exams and seen thousands of female reproductive organs in a variety of colors, forms, and sizes.
Wear warm clothing
You will be expected to remove your trousers/skirt and underwear for the test. Wear something warm on your top half, as well as some warm socks, as this will make you feel cold and unpleasant.
Think of something to distract you during the test
You may clench your pelvic muscles in anticipation of the speculum being placed (which will make the test more uncomfortable). Instead, as soon as you are seated on the examination table, consider something that will serve to distract you during the examination. Consider how you might reward yourself when the test is completed as an example.
Focus on your breathing
Controlled breathing techniques have been shown to help people relax in a variety of stressful situations. Inhale for four seconds and exhale for eight seconds. This pattern will assist to relax your body as well as distract your mind if you concentrate on it.
Communicate with your doctor
Inform your doctor if you are scared or concerned about pain or discomfort. They may be able to soothe your nerves by talking you through the test or by slowly inserting the speculum. If you are unhappy with how your doctor performed your last smear test, remember that you can always request that your next one be performed by a new doctor.
Take a painkiller beforehand
After a smear test, some women experience slight discomfort for a few hours. Taking an ibuprofen half an hour before your test may assist to alleviate any pain or discomfort in the pelvic area during or after the procedure.
Can you do your own smear?
NHS England has announced that over 31,000 women would be handed kits to do smear tests in the privacy and convenience of their own homes as part of a trial.
The swab tests will be mailed to women or given out by a doctor to encourage them to get tested for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer.
The home swab allows women to perform the test themselves rather than having it done by a general practice nurse.
They will be distributed to women between the ages of 25 and 64 who are 15 months overdue for a check and live in Barnet, Camden, Islington, Newham, or Tower Hamlets, where screening appointment attendance is poor.
As part of the national NHS Cervical Screening Programme, home smear tests are being trialed for the first time in England and are being rolled out to 166 GP practices.
According to research, embarrassment, cultural obstacles, and fear of what a smear test entails are all common reasons for women not attending their appointment.
Professor Peter Johnson, the NHS’s national clinical director for cancer, said: “Thousands of women will benefit from this crucial new method of screening. We understand that there are a variety of reasons why women may choose to skip a screening session, including concerns about COVID.
“GPs have taken extra efforts to ensure that procedures are safe, and these home kits provide another alternative for thousands of women to keep up with their screening. We would advise every woman to get a smear test since the earlier HPV is found, the better. It has the potential to save your life.”
NHS England, Public Health England, NHS Digital, and King’s College London are all participating in the YouScreen experiment.
Women can send their swabs to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme’s London laboratory after they’re finished. The results will be mailed to them as well as their GP offices.
Women will be asked to their GP practice for a normal smear test as a follow-up if the home test detects HPV.
The NHS Long Term Plan focuses on catching more cancers early, when they are easier to cure.
The study’s leader, Dr. Anita Lim of King’s College London, said: “For cervical screening, self-sampling is a game-changer. We know that many women aren’t coming forward for screening, and in some parts of London, nearly half of women aren’t getting their cervical screening.
“It’s a private operation, and a variety of obstacles can prevent individuals from attending, despite the fact that it’s a potentially life-saving test. This easy-to-use swab can be completed in the privacy and convenience of your own home.
“Women who don’t come in for regular screening have the highest risk of acquiring cervical cancer, so it’s critical that we discover ways to make screening easier and protect women from a cancer that is completely preventable.”
Women who attend a GP appointment for another reason and are at least six months overdue on a test will now be offered a home kit, in addition to those who are 15 months overdue.
In total, 19,000 women will be sent a kit and 12,000 will be given one by their doctor, according to data demonstrating that 99 percent of women can successfully do a self-swab.
Ruth Stubbs, manager of Public Health England’s National Cervical Screening Programme, said: “This YouScreen trial is the first step toward allowing women in England to self-sample for HPV at home.
This study will be tested in London, which has the lowest cervical screening coverage in the country. The impact on improving cervical screening participation in London will be assessed.
“PHE is also collaborating on a clinical validation research with a number of partners, including NHS England and Improvement, academics, and charities, to inform a bigger national evaluation of HPV self-sampling at home. This research, combined with the results of the YouScreen London trial, will give data from England to the UK National Screening Committee on the potential impact of HPV self-sampling on cervical cancer prevention and early diagnosis.
Women will also get access to a video detailing how to perform the test at home as part of the experiment. The individuals who will be sent or given the tests will be notified.
The study’s steering group is co-chaired by Dr Clare Stephens, a GP and clinical co-director of the North Central London Cancer Alliance “We’ve put in a lot of effort with King’s College London to set up the study, which includes recruiting 166 GP practices to participate in the study so that cervical screening non-attenders on their lists can be mailed, as well as ensuring that YouScreen test results are incorporated into the NHS England Cervical Screening Programme.
“GPs, practice nurses, and healthcare assistants in participating practices can offer YouScreen kits to women who are overdue for their test on an as-needed basis, and they have been trained to do so. This new technology is a huge step forward in cervical cancer prevention for London women. This project has received strong support from our local GP community, which we think will pave the road for wider adoption.”
Alexandra Lawrence, a consultant gynaecological oncologist at the Royal London Hospital and co-chair of the study’s steering group, said: “We believe that participating in this study will help us address the low uptake of cervical screening in our area of London, as we know that a check allows for treatment, if necessary, before cancer develops.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients were hesitant to go to their doctor’s office for a checkup. I hope that the YouScreen project will be part of the solution to ensuring that potential cancers are averted, in addition to efforts to boost patient confidence in attending NHS premises for screening.”
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust’s Head of Policy and Communications, Kate Sanger, said: “Self-sampling eliminates many of the barriers to cervical screening, and we know from our research that women want it. It’s been an honor to be a part of this research, and we hope that it will result in changes that help save lives and reduce the stress that a cervical cancer diagnosis may cause.”
Can a Pap smear be done without a speculum?
Nearly half of all cervical cancer fatalities occur in women over 65, with the majority occurring in women who were not appropriately tested between the ages of 50 and 64. After menopause, smears can be unpleasant, which may deter some women from seeking cervical screening. The speculum is one of the most common sources of discomfort (the instrument used to hold the walls of the vagina open). Cervical cancer can now be detected by testing for the virus that causes it, the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV testing has the advantage of not requiring the use of a speculum to collect samples. Women can even get a sample on their own (self-testing). Unfortunately, more than half of women who do a self-test are concerned that they will not get a good sample. Another method is to test for HPV without using a speculum on a sample collected by a doctor (non-speculum). Women would benefit from the reassurance of having a professional collect their sample, but with far less discomfort. This is the first time it’s been done.
The test performance and acceptability of non-speculum clinician samples for HPV testing in women aged 50 and up will be evaluated in this study. There are two concurrent studies: I GP primary care – women aged 50-64 undergoing routine cervical screening (to see if non-speculum clinician samples can properly identify women without illness) and (ii) colposcopy – women aged 50+ undergoing cervical disease investigation (to assess if non-speculum clinician samples can correctly identify women with disease).
A non-speculum clinician sample will be obtained in both investigations, followed by a speculum clinician sample (in the GP study the second sample will be the routine smear).
Non-speculum sample HPV test results will be compared to speculum sample and routine screening test results. The women in the GP research will fill out a short survey on their experiences with the test.
At what age should you get a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is a test that is performed to check for cervical cancer in women. Women used to get a Pap smear at every annual appointment, but Pap smears have improved over time, and we now know that cervical cancer takes a long time to develop. Pap smear screening should begin at the age of 21 for women. Women between the ages of 21 and 29 who have normal Pap smears only need them every three years. Women over the age of 30 should have their Pap smear tested for the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Because 80 percent of sexually active women carry the virus, women under the age of 30 are not tested. Once a woman reaches her 30s, she is usually free of it. Once we’ve confirmed that the virus isn’t there, the patient can go even longer between Pap smears, to every five years (though she should still have an annual gynecological exam). If precancerous cells are found on a woman’s cervix, or if she tests positive for HPV, she will require more frequent testing.
At the age of 12, both girls and boys should be vaccinated against HPV. In just one generation, we can drastically reduce the incidence of cervical cancer!
Pap smears are routinely performed until a woman reaches the age of 65, unless she has undergone a hysterectomy. If that’s the case, she doesn’t need Pap smears anymore (unless they’re being done to check for cervical or endometrial cancer). If a patient has had two normal Pap smears in the previous ten years and no significantly precancerous cells in the previous 20 years, she can discontinue screening completely.
Should I shave before Pap smear?
It’s not difficult to get ready for a pap smear. Some women may feel compelled to shave their pubic hair for this test, but it is not required. You should only attempt it if you are more at ease. A little pubic hair won’t bother your doctor because he’s seen it all. For the most accurate results, follow these steps:
- Make your Pap smear appointment on a day when you aren’t menstruation. If you have to go during your period, wait at least 24 hours before your visit before placing anything in your vaginal area.
Pap smears are something that women despise. It’s inconvenient. It may cause some discomfort. Regular Pap smears, on the other hand, can detect cervical cancer before it becomes an issue. Don’t put things off just because it’s unpleasant.
Before
- Ask if you can take ibuprofen one hour before your appointment when you make your appointment. Pain relievers sold over the counter can help you feel better.
- Make arrangements for someone to accompany you to your appointment. If you bring someone you trust with you, you might feel more at ease. This person could be a parent, a spouse, or a friend. They can stand with you throughout the Pap smear if you choose, or they can simply wait in the waiting room if that makes you feel more at ease.
- Before the exam, go to the restroom. When Pap smears are painful, it’s usually due to a feeling of pressure in the pelvic region. Urinating ahead of time can help ease some of the stress. Your doctor may ask for a urine sample in some situations, so make sure to ask if it’s OK to use the restroom first.
During
- Request that your doctor use the smallest speculum size possible. There are frequently a variety of speculum sizes available. Make it clear to your doctor that you’re concerned about the pain and would like a lesser size.
- If you’re concerned about the cold, request a plastic speculum. Metal speculums are cooler than plastic speculums. Ask them to warm it up if they only have metal speculums.
- So you don’t get taken off guard, ask your doctor to detail what’s going on. Ask them to describe what they’re doing if you’d like to know exactly what’s going on right now. During the test, some people find it beneficial to talk with their doctor.
- Ask if you can wear headphones during the exam if you don’t want to hear about it. You might use headphones to listen to soothing music to help you relax and take your mind off what’s going on.
- During the exam, practice deep breathing. Deep breathing can help to calm your nerves, so try to concentrate on your breathing.
- Relax your pelvic muscles as much as possible. When you’re in pain or uncomfortable, it’s natural to compress your pelvic muscles, but doing so might put more pressure on your pelvic region. Deep breathing can assist with muscle relaxation.
Your provider most likely used a numbing chemical to help lessen pain in your vaginal and cervix if you had an IUD put. Unfortunately, this is not achievable prior to a Pap smear. Your results may be masked if you use a numbing substance.
After
- Use a pantyliner or a cushion to protect your underwear. It’s not uncommon to experience some bleeding after a Pap smear. A minor abrasion on the cervix or the vaginal wall is generally the cause. Just in case, bring a pad or a pantyliner with you.
- Ibuprofen or a hot water bottle can help. Following a Pap smear, some people suffer slight cramps. Ibuprofen, a hot water bottle, or any other home treatment can help relieve cramps.