A Pap Smear is a simple test performed by the doctor to detect cervical cancer. It involves the placing of a speculum in the vagina to reveal the cervix. A small brush is thenis used to gently collect cells that are normally shed from the lining of the cervix into the surrounding mucus. The collected cells will then be incorporated with into a liquid test medium for microscopy examination. A specially trained technologist will examine the sample to identify any changes associated with pre-cancerous transformation.
Pre-cancerous or dysplastic changes usually take place in the cells of the lining of the cervix before pregressing to cervical cancer. The more severe the dysplasia, the more likely it is to continue progressing and changing towards cancer. The less severe the dysplasia, the more likely it is to reverse and return to normal.
The Pap Smear report may contain unfamiliar words or terms; the doctor will be able to explain these in greater detail, but we can start to help you understand some of these terms now. Nonetheless, we included a list of these terms and their definition below.