Pap Smear Tests

Pap smears are used as a tool to screen for Human Papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer. This potentially lifesaving test can detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they become cancerous. Your health care practitioner will take cells from the cervix and send it to a laboratory to be analyzed. The procedure is quick and mostly pain-free, and is performed in the doctor’s rooms.

As with other cancers, early detection is crucial in determining prognosis and treatment. This explains why regular Pap smear tests should be part of any woman’s health regime.

HPV is very common and is spread through close skin-to-skin contact during any type of sexual activity, with either a man or a woman. It can remain in the body at very low or undetectable levels for many years without causing any problems. Therefore, it is almost impossible to determine when or from which person the virus was transferred.

Most people, male and female, will have HPV at some stage in their lives. In most cases one’s immune system will successfully clear it, almost like getting rid of a cold. However, if the virus remains, it can cause abnormal cells to form.

There is no medical treatment for HPV and, while most people recover easily, this is not always the case. The virus is not fully understood, but smoking is a risk factor that makes it more difficult for the body to get rid of the virus.

If no signs of abnormal cells or the human papillomavirus have been found, your doctor will report a normal result and advise that the procedure is repeated in two years’ time.

If HPV was found, but no abnormal cervical cells, it means that you do have HPV infection but it is not causing any problems. More regular screening will be required to monitor the situation and make sure that the virus is cleared by your immune system.

According to CANSA (National Cancer Registry 2022) cervical cancer is the 2nd most prevalent cancer in South Africa after breast cancer. However, it is the cancer that causes the highest number of deaths in our country. Both breast and cervical cancer are national priorities, due to the increase in occurrence, but treatment can be successful with early detection.

This vaccination provides protection against the 2 high-risk types of HPV causing approximately 70% of cervical cancers. Nevertheless, as there are other types of high-risk HPV that can also cause abnormal cells in the cervix, the vaccination does not provide any guarantees.

Screening via Pap smears is an important tool, but cannot prevent cervical cancer. While biennial or annual screenings normally suffice, cancer can develop between tests. Please contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience unusual bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause, or have an unusual vaginal discharge.

Sources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4267-pap-smear
https://cansa.org.za/cervical-cancer/