UniPath's Women's Health SectionWomen’s Gynecologic HealthWhy get an annual Pap test?The Pap test has been the single most effective screening tool ever available to modern medicine in the fight against cancer. If caught early and treated properly, cervical cancer is curable. The American Cancer Society states that cervical cancer deaths have dropped by 74% since 1955 in the U.S., and the death rate from cervical cancer continues to decline at a rate of 4% per year. These favorable numbers are attributed to the use of the Pap test. Cervical cancer is, generally speaking, very slow to develop. Changes in the cells of the cervix can be detected by microscopically examining them after they are collected by your doctor and sent to a pathology laboratory. If abnormalities are found early, treatments are extremely effective. To learn more about what your pap test results mean, click here. Why is it called a Pap smear?While studying ovarian and uterine cycles in vaginal specimens in 1923, George N. Papanicolaou, MD discovered that the cells of women with cervical cancer showed abnormal changes. In 1943, he and gynecologist Herbert F. Traut published “Diagnosis of Uterine Cancer by the Vaginal Smear.” Further research demonstrated that pre-cancerous changes could also be detected. This research and subsequent screening practices led to the most successful cancer-screening tool in history. Link to more on George Papanicalaou: http://www.ascp.org/general/about/pioneers/papanicolaou.asp HPV – The Human Papilloma VirusIt has been established that almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. There are over 100 strains of this virus, and only a few of these cause cervical cancer. It is an extremely common virus, and anyone who has been sexually active is at risk. HPV can live in the body for many years without showing any signs of infection. Therefore, even those people who for years have been with only one partner or not sexually active at all may still have the virus. Many pathology laboratories (including UniPath) can screen for this virus using the same cellular material collected by your Pap test. You and your physician should determine whether you would like to have an HPV test as a primary screening (regardless of the results of your Pap test), or as a reflexive screening (only if your Pap test shows that the cells in your cervix indicate that the virus may be present). HPV can be present even if your Pap test does not show any abnormal cells, so you should explore all your options with your doctor. Chlamydia and GonorrheaThese are two other common, sexually-transmitted organisms (in addition to HPV) that can be detected from the cells collected during your Pap test. They are both treatable and rarely life-threatening (except in infants who can contract it in the birth canal), but they are nevertheless potentially dangerous, uncomfortable (even painful), and at the least, tremendously inconvenient. Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) , can cause a number of infections. In women, common manifestations include cervivitis, salpingtis, and acute urethral syndrome. Men infected with Chlamydia may develop conditions including epididymitis, urethritis, and proctitis. Perhaps most disturbing about Chlamydia is the potential effects on newborn infants, who may contract, among other things, conjunctivitis and pneumonia. Gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) often does not produce symptoms in women, though it can lead to suppurative salpingitis, ovaritis, ovarian abscess, and peritonitis. In men, gonorrhea most frequently causes urethritis with significant pain and pus-discharge. Your doctor will determine when to screen you for Chlamydia and gonorrhea, typically together, and usually only if you have a symptom of one of the infections or if you think you may have been exposed to them from an infected sexual partner. HSV – Herpes Simplex Virus (1 & 2)Herpes is another common organism infection a large percentage of the population. Genital herpes (herpes can also be oral, such as the common cold sore) infects approximately one in four adults in the U.S. There are two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV 2 is the type most commonly found in genital herpes (though either type can be found both orally and genitally). Herpes infection is usually mild and not dangerous, though it can cause life-threatening situations if passed from an infected mother to a newborn. The symptoms range from mild (sometimes undetectable) to severe (painful, rash-like lesions). Significant dangers to adults do exist from HSV infection: it can increase susceptibility to HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), and for women infected with HPV (the virus that causes cervical cancer – see HPV section), it can increase the risks of developing cervical cancer. If you suspect you may have herpes, discuss your options with your doctor. References for the above information and additional information on Pap tests, HPV, Chlamydia, gonorrhea and HSV can be found at the following sites:
The information contained on this page is meant for informational purposes only; it is not intended to be used as advice or in place of a consultation with your physician about your health care. Communication with your personal physician is the best way to seek advice and to make decisions about your health care. If you have any questions about this or any information you have read, please contact your physician. |