Cervical Smear Test End To Womans Suffering

Cervical smear test is the key to an alert but enjoyable life. This test is also known as the pap smear test or the Papanicolaou test, which helps determine the signs for cervical cancer. The inventor of this test was the Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou, and hence the name. Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women.

The smear test checks the signs for cancer of the cervix, a part of the uterus (also known as neck of the womb) by looking out for any abnormality or signs of changing cells for pre-cancerous conditions. As there is ignorance prevailing about the precancerous conditions and pap smear testing, many women suffer silently, unaware about all the involvements.

The cervix does not play a role in a non-pregnant women but it helps to maintain pregnancy. The cervical smear test should be done regularly to detect any changes in the cells before it becomes cancerous. Sometimes, it may take years to detect these changes and women find it an ordeal to cope with the anxiety. Early diagnosis and treatment in precancerous cells can prevent cancer. The test detects early changes in the squamous cells rather then adenocarcinoma.

The treatment of early stage of cancer growth may be treated with surgery or radiotherapy. The cervical cancer may be diagnosed by a biopsy of the cervix. The internal examination is called a colposcopy. The severity also decides the mode of treatment for instance, a radical hysterectomy. There are no definite causes for cervical cancer but factors like smoking and viral infection of the cervix are said to increase the risk.

The procedure for pap smear testing involves insertion of a special instrument known as speculum, for opening the vagina and collecting sample cells to be checked microscopically. The detailed videos of the test can be seen with the help of top medical videos. It is advisable to start the pap smear tests at the age of 21 when sex activity starts. Regular tests should be taken by women between the ages of 18 to 65.

Not all abnormal results mean symptoms of cervical cancer. It may just imply some changes in the cells of the cervix and this precancerous condition is fully treatable with early diagnosis and action. The abnormalities in the result may be irritation, inflammation or abnormal cells.

With the introduction of smear test, the number of women dying of cervical cancer has decreased drastically. It is said that regular pap smear screening can reduce the cancer incidence by 80% and this only speaks about the importance of regularity of smear test and its follow-up.