The Importance of an Annual Pap Smear

A lot can happen in a year. Although time seems to fly by, a year is a reasonable amount of time to experience life events. Over 365 days, you could get a new job and move to a different state. You might find a new romantic partner, take up a new hobby. Or, unfortunately you may develop a health condition. Taking care of your health, practicing self-care, and staying on top of yearly exams, like a Pap smear (also called a Pap test), is the very best way to detect cervical changes and disease.

A routine Pap smear is proven to detect 92% of cervical cancer cases in women. FemmPro OB/GYN, with locations in Garden City and North Massapequa, New York, provides routine Pap smears as a preventative measure that could save your life.

What it does

If you’re like most women, you’ve probably had a Pap smear but might still be confused by what it shows. Contrary to popular belief, Pap smears don’t detect cervical cancer. Instead, they collect cells from your cervix to pinpoint any abnormal cell growth.

Both  the American Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force agree that a Pap smear is the best way to detect cervical cancer in its earliest stage.

If your Pap smear comes back positive, that means the test revealed abnormal cells resulting from:

• HPV
• Bacterial infection
• Fungal infection
• Viral infection
• Cervical cancer

Most of the time, an abnormal Pap smear is the result of an infection rather than cancer. Over 3 million women experience abnormal pap smear results, and less than 1% are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

When to get one

Women are advised to get a Pap smear starting at age 21. 

Benefits of an annual Pap smear

Getting into the practice of having an annual Pap smear is the best way to stay proactive about your health. Undergoing regular Pap smears lower your risk  of dying from cervical cancer. Some other benefits include:

• Allows you to find cancer when you may have no symptoms
• It may reduce anxiety if a negative result is shown
• Diagnoses cancer in its most treatable stage
• Diagnoses cancer before it spreads

Your health and well-being are central to living a long healthy life. Schedule your annual Pap smear with us today by calling us or booking online. We’re here for you!