Question 1

what is the purpose for a doc to do a pap test if someone is pregnant (first visit since home pregnant test showed positive )?  can she decline pap?

Accepted Answer

PAP: No one can force you to have any specific test but a Pap smear is a very good screening test for cervical dysplasia.

Question 2

what is a pap test?

Accepted Answer

Cancer check: A pap test looks for cervical cancer. The doctor will inserrt a speculum into the vagina to look at the cervix and take a sample of cervical cells to send to the lab.

Question 3

is an abnormal pap test serious?

Accepted Answer

Yes indeed: Before pap smears, about 30, 000 women in the us died of cancer of the cervix each year. If you do not want to be one of them (and it is a gruesome way to die), get appropriate follow-up.

Question 4

how long does the pap test take?

Accepted Answer

Few minutes: A pap smear is a gynecologic test used to screen women for cervical cancer. A doctor will visualize the cervix by inserting a speculum into the vagina, then will use a little brush to take a sampling of cells from in/around the cervix. The entire procedure only takes about 2-3 minutes. Results can sometimes take several weeks, however.

Question 5

what is the pap test testing for?

Accepted Answer

Pap test: Is done to look for changes in the cells of the cervix to diagnose cervical dysplasia or cancer.

Question 6

should have pap test every years?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: The recommendations are based on age, sexual activity and any prior testing that may show you at higher risk. Since you provided no such information in your post, it is hard to say what your individual need would be.

Question 7

how is a pap test done? what steps?

Accepted Answer

Pelvic exam: A pap is one part of a routine pelvic exam and testing. You will be undressed from the waist down and laying on a table with your bottom on the edge and your legs positioned in "stirrups." the doctor examines the area, inserts a speculum gently and collects the pap with a swab that touches your cervix. It may be awkward but is not painful and is important to prevent cervical cancer.

Question 8

how long does pap test takes about?

Accepted Answer

3 minutes: It only takes a few minutes to actually obtain the swab of material needed for a pap smear but it will take several days to week to have the material analyzed by the lab.

Question 9

how often should you get a pap test?

Accepted Answer

New guidelines: If you have had 3 consecutive negative pap smears then once every 3 years is  now recommended. In women over age 60 to 65 pap smears can be stopped unless still sexually active or a previous pap smear was abnormal. Pap smears can also detect the hpv virus with some types being a forerunner to cervical cancer.

Question 10

why do i need a pap test every year?

Accepted Answer

Early detection: It depends on your history and risk factors, but generally paps are recommended every year for surveillance of any changes in cervical cells that can slowly progress to cancer if your body isn't taking taking of them adequately. There are some changes in recommendations recently. Ask your doctor if you are able to be screened less frequently.

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Doctor answers about:

Home pap test

A member asked:

What is the purpose for a doc to do a pap test if someone is pregnant (first visit since home pregnant test showed positive )? can she decline pap?

A member asked:

What is a pap test?

A member asked:

Is an abnormal pap test serious?

A member asked:

How long does the pap test take?

A member asked:

What is the pap test testing for?

A member asked:

Should have pap test every years?

A member asked:

How is a pap test done? what steps?

A member asked:

How long does pap test takes about?

A member asked:

How often should you get a pap test?

A member asked:

Why do i need a pap test every year?

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