Dr. Esha Shanbag, Associate Consultant - Gynecological Oncology talks about what a pap smear is, why it is important and who should get it done. A pap smear is a simple outpatient screening test to detect cervical cancer and pre-cancerous lesions. Cells are scraped from the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus, and examined under a microscope. There is no anesthesia or admission required.
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is a common cancer affecting Indian women and the second leading cause of death among them. Almost all cervical cancers are linked to HPV infection. Since HPV is very common, pap smear screening is important to detect abnormalities early and prevent cervical cancer. All women beyond 25 years of age who are sexually active should get a pap smear screening. The frequency depends on the testing method used. The preferred method is a pap smear combined with HPV testing, which only needs to be done every five years if the results are normal.
What is Colposcopy?
Based on the screening results, a colposcopy may be recommended. A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix under magnification to look for abnormalities. If any abnormalities are found, a tissue sample is taken for further examination. The Department of Gynecological Oncology at Aster Whitefield Hospital provides cervical screening, colposcopy and treatment for pre-cancerous and cervical cancer lesions.
