The anal smear (Pap) test exists and should not be taboo.
It is the simplest, fastest and safest method of detecting HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection, with great diagnostic accuracy.
The various subtypes of HPV are responsible for perineal and intra-anal warts, for malignant lesions of the area and for anal cancer.
It is now recognized as a basic test that helps significantly - up to 75% - in the prevention of anal cancer.
Anal Smear (Pap) test
The Anal smear (Pap) Test is a rectal smear cytological examination.
It leads to the detection of the wart virus as well as possible precancerous lesions in the cells of the anus.
These lesions can lead to cancer over time.
However, they are completely curable if they are detected in time.
The test can also be used by people who do not have any symptoms, but belong to high-risk populations.
In general, the test is recommended to be done at least once a year by:
- Homosexual men
- Women who have had anal sex
- HIV positive women and men
- Women with cervical cancer, vulvar or vaginal cancer or women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial cancer -CIN3-
How the Pap Smear (Anal) Test is done
The procedure to perform the Pap Smear (Anal) Test is the same as a conventional Pap smear test.
With the difference that the examined cells come from the anus and not from the vagina and the cervix.
Something like a cotton swab, is inserted into the first two centimeters of the anus and with a circular motion cells are taken from the mucosa.
It is not painful at all, as well as it does not require any preparation on the part of the patient or any local anesthesia.
If the test results are negative, then the test needs to be repeated next year.
However, if we get a positive result from the cytological examination, further examination through proctoscopy is considered necessary.
The results we get with the method we use in K41 give us in addition to the existence of HPV infection, the information about the phase of the activity in which it is. We achieve this through a method described as in situ hybridization.
Warts & Anal Cancer
Warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. They are on the rise, affecting more and more people every day.
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is the leading and most common cause of anal cancer.
It is estimated that a large percentage of the sexually active population will be infected with the HPV virus at some point in their lives, even without their knowledge.
There are certain groups of people who are at increased risk of developing anal cancer due to warts.
Such population groups are:
- gay men or men who have sex with men, smokers
- people who carry the HPV virus regardless of sexual orientation
- women with HPV genital history
- individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, especially as kidney transplant patients.
These population groups, which are more vulnerable, need to be checked prophylactically and at regular intervals, for possible alterations or precancerous conditions.
It is very important to understand that if there are preventive check-ups and treatments of the lesions at an early stage, the possibility of dysplasia and carcinogenesis is significantly reduced.
What we would like to pass as a message is not to be afraid and take a Pap smear test, but to take the test so as not to be afraid.
Learn more : Warts
