PAP SMEAR CERVICAL CANCER

SHAMANTHA A/P SANTHANA KRISHNAN

INTRODUCTION

A routine screening
procedure for cervical
cancer.
Detects presence of
cancerous/precancerous
cells that may suggest
cancer to develop in future,
thus giving a greater
chance at a cure.
Usually done in
conjunction with a pelvic
exam.

LIMITATIONS
PROCEDURE
Uncomfortable and
sometimes painful
Causes anxiety (over
examination)
Does not guarantee
accurate results (return as
false positive)
Removal of a part of
cervix can slightly
increase risk of giving
premature birth for
subsequent pregnancies.

WHEN TO GET IT
DONE?

Every 3 years (between

21-70 years of age)
If you have family
history of cervical
cancer
If you are sexually
active

May be combined with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) — a

common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical
cancer.

SYMPTOMS

So, whether you're up to date with your smear test, are waiting for a
test, or have never been, do call your GP as soon as possible if you have
any of these symptoms.
www.mayoclinic.org. (n.d.). Pap smear - Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/about/pac-
20394841#:~:text=A%20Pap%20smear%2C%20also%20called.
Cross, P. and Shiell, A. (2001). Cervical cytology EQA - the Northern experience. Cytopathology, 12(2),
pp.94–103. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2303.2001.00306.x.
‌H oda, R.S. and Hoda, S.A. (2007). Fundamentals of Pap test cytology. Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press, Cop.
‌C ERVICAL CANCER SCREENING. (1981). Southern Medical Journal, 74(1), p.87. doi:10.1097/00007611-
198101000-00035.
‌P AP Smear and Colposcopic Evaluation of Uterine Cervix. (2015). International Journal of Science and
Research (IJSR), 5(5), pp.873–875. doi:10.21275/v5i5.nov163502.