Cervical Cancer: Help Simplify the Mystery

Fact: Early detection of cervical cancer saves lives.

Visiting an OBGYN specialist for a pap test is a simple step, yet many women are filled with trepidation at the thought of this visit. Part of such fear comes from health literacy issues; for instance, sometimes women don’t realize that the acronymn OBGYN, stands for Obstetrics and Gynecology. While Obstetrics focuses on care of the mother and the child, in recent decades the practice has begun to include attentions to the broader family, in particular the physical and mental health connections between the entire nuclear family unit. Gynecology is a specific branch of medicine that addresses female reproductive issues. An OBGYN specialist administers a pap test to patients as a screening for abnormal cells.

What it is . . .

Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus that serves as the birth canal. There are two different categories of cervical cancer: non-invasive (where the abnormal cells are limited to the surface of the cervix), and invasive, when the abnormal cells are found deeper in the cervix or have spread into other organs or tissues. Non-invasive cervical cancer is four times more common than invasive.

Demystifying the process can lead to earlier detection.

A pap test is a simple procedure that ought not to be swathed in mystery. Yet the invasive nature of the test as well as the shame, confusion and fear that many women associate with their reproductive systems may complicate the process. Simply, the patient dons a light hospital garment and lies on an examination table, often conversing with the medical examiner during the pelvic exam. To collect the cells for a pap test, the medical professional will insert a metal speculum to keep the vagina comfortably open and will swab the cervix, in the interior of the vagina, to collect the cells. Quick and fairly painless, this portion of the procedure saves hundreds of women from a fatal cervical cancer sentence. After the procedure, the health professional will leave the room while the patient dresses, returning to confirm the follow-up procedure.

Simplifying the Stages as a Final Step

The stages of a pap smear begin with the patient donning a hospital gown and lying on the examination table. The medical practicioner inserts a warmed speculum into the vagina, which keeps the vaginal walls held taut so the medical professional may view the cervix. The speculum, a metal tool, is designed to comfortably fit inside a woman’s vagina. After this step, the medical professional will run a soft, wooden spatula (about the size of a pencil) and a wand (about the size of a mascara wand) across the cervix to collect cell samples. These swabbings are transferred to a glass slide, for further testing. While an unfamiliar feeling, the swabbing process is not painful and has been described as a “twinge.” After the pap smear process is complete, the speculum is gently removed and the patient re-dresses before resuming talks with her medical expert. Test results are typically available in a couple of weeks.

With cervical cancer reduced to its simplest part, more women may understand the importance of frequent pelvic exams for better health.

http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contacts.asp