Pap smear test
Treatment Duration
30
Suggested Sessions
2-3 times/year
What is a Pap test?
The Pap test is a cytological examination, during which a sample of vaginal and cervical fluid is taken.
The aim of the examination is the diagnosis of cervical cancer in time, but also the detection of diseases from which a woman can be infected, such as the HPV virus.
It is a non-invasive, painless and economical method, which has been offered for mass control of the population for the last 50 years.
The Papanikolaou test has been the cornerstone of the fight against cervical cancer since 1928 and is named after the Greek scientist George Papanikolaou.
In countries that have systematically adopted and implemented the Pap test to check for cervical cancer, a significant reduction in both the incidence and mortality from the disease has been observed.
Procedure
The gynecologist takes cells from the surface of the cervix with a spatula and from the endocervical canal and the transformation zone with a brush.
The sample is then coated on glass plates, where it is fixed using a special spray and sent to the laboratory, where it will be processed and examined by the cytologist for the presence of cytological lesions.
It is wrong to identify the Pap test with the vaginal culture, since during this, a test is performed for the presence of cellular lesions and not a test for the growth of germs.
Pap & HPV test
With the Pap test, the presence of cells whose morphology deviates from normal is checked.
The largest percentage of cytological lesions tested by this test is associated with the presence of the HPV virus, which is the major risk factor for developing cervical cancer.
Contact with HPV does not always lead to lesions. However, most viral infections have a high rate of autoimmunity.
According to the Hellenic Society of Clinical Cytology, HPV infection in most cases resolves without any intervention.
If left untreated, however, it can initially cause precancerous lesions, which may require simple monitoring, surgery, or other treatment.
If precancerous lesions are not treated, they are more likely to develop into cancer within 12 to 15 years.
Learn more about HPV
The age with the highest incidence of HPV infection is 15 to 26 years old, however, every sexually active woman is at risk of HPV regardless of age.
Pap test with the liquid phase technique
It is the improved and most reliable form of the classic Papanicolaou test.
It is more accurate, because it keeps all the cells of the sample to be examined by the Cytologist.
This method examines more cells and thus the result is safer. It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1996.
With the liquid phase technique, the accuracy in the diagnosis can be increased up to 25% compared to the compatible Pap test. Overall accuracy in diagnosing the result, the rates of most valid diagnosis reach 90%, an extremely high percentage.
Liquid phase Pap test procedure
The sample of cervical cells is collected in the classic painless way with a special brush, but instead of being placed on the glass plate, it is placed in a special liquid, which ensures its proper maintenance.
The sample is then sent to the laboratory, where it is processed with a special machine and the cells are isolated from the liquid and other impurities (mucus, blood, etc.) and immediately afterwards, they are transferred to a special plate where they are examined.
This technique, because it mediates a phase of preservation of cells in fluid, is internationally called LBC (Liquid Based Cytology) while in Greece the term Liquid Phase Cytology has prevailed.
The use of liquid phase Pap test is associated with increased detection of pathological cervical malformations such as CIN 2 as well as CIN 1.
In addition, the liquid phase Pap test can standardize the HPV virus from the cells present in the maintenance fluid, so we have information about the type of virus that infected the cervical cells.
Pap Test Frequency
The frequency of the examination is different for each age group. More specifically:
- From 21 to 29 years - every 3 years
- From 30 to 65 years - every 3 years or if you have an HPV DNA test, every 5 years.
The above rules do not apply to all population groups.
Women with specific risk factors need more frequent screening. Risk factors include:
- HPV infection
- Immunosuppression
- Exposure to diethylstilbestrol before birth
- Previous treatment for specific cervical lesions or cancer
For women over the age of 65, who have had at least three normal Pap tests and no abnormalities in the last decade, they may decide to stop having Pap tests after talking to their gynecologist.
Women who have had a total hysterectomy do not need to have a Pap test unless the surgery was performed for a precancerous lesion or cancer
Ask The Doctor
Dr. Tzonis Panagiotis
Μαιευτήρας-Γυναικολόγος
210 69 29 999
Frequently Asked Questions
Do women who are no longer sexually active need a Pap test?
It is estimated that 8 out of 10 women under the age of 50 will be exposed to the HPV virus at least once. However, we do not know the exact time of infection with the virus, nor whether and when the presence of the virus will manifest clinically, causing cellular lesions. Therefore, the Pap test should be repeated, even if a woman is not sexually active for a period of time, to rule out the possibility of recurrence or delayed clinical manifestation of an old HPV infection.
When is it best to have a Pap test?
The Pap test is done when the woman is not menstruating. The best time period in a 28 day cycle is between the 8th and 20th day of your cycle.
For at least two 24 hours before the Pap test you should avoid sexual intercourse, intravaginal washing, or the use of vaginal preparations, as it is possible to rinse or hide the abnormal cells.
Is Pap smear during pregnancy dangerous?
No. Pap tests during pregnancy are completely safe and should be included in the prenatal test when the test has not been done for a year or more.
Some women after the Pap test may experience very mild drip vaginal bleeding due to the sensitivity of the cervix during pregnancy.
However, it is unlikely that the test will lead to miscarriage or any other complication.