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HEALTHY REASONING: Women – Do The Pap Test

HEALTHY REASONING: Women – Do The Pap Test

By Allan Jones
Pride Health Columnist

1 in 150 women is expected to develop cervical cancer during her lifetime, and 1 in 423 will die of it.

Before cervical cancer develops, the cells of the cervix change and become abnormal. This change is called dysplasia of the cervix. This precancerous condition can develop into cancer over time if not treated. However, most women with dysplasia do not develop cancer.

These changes in the cervix that occur before the cancer develops can be detected by a Pap Test or Pap Smear. This test can save a woman’s life because it can detect the earliest signs of cervical cancer. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high.

It is recommended that women have their first Pap Test at age 21 and every two years thereafter. If a woman is 30 years and older, and had normal Pap Test results three consecutive times, her doctor may recommend doing the procedure every three years. For a woman over 65 years old, she should ask her doctor if she can stop having Pap tests.

Preparing for a Pap Test requires the woman to not partake in activities that may wash away or hide abnormal cells of the cervix, so most doctors suggest that for two days before the test to avoid the following, douching; using tampons; using vaginal creams, suppositories and medicines; using vaginal deodorant sprays or powders; having sex. Doctors usually suggest doing the test when a woman is not having her period. The best time is 10 to 20 days after the first day of the last period.

The Pap Test is simple and quick. The doctor uses a special stick or brush to take a few cells from inside and around the cervix, the cells are then sent to a lab for analysis. While usually painless, a Pap Test is uncomfortable for some women. Based on the results of the test, the doctor will recommend what action to take.

The main risk factor for developing cervical cancer is the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) that infects the cervix. Other risk factors include: becoming sexually active at a young age; having many sexual partners, or having a sexual partner that has had many sexual partners; smoking; an immune system weakened from taking drugs following a transplant, or having a disease such as AIDS; the use of birth control pills for a long period of time; giving birth to many children; having taken diethylstilbestrol (DES), or being the daughter of a mother who took DES.

In Ontario if a woman does not have her legal documents for living in Canada, free healthcare is available, no questions asked, from the community health centres (CHC) across the province. There are many in the Greater Toronto Area, including Black Creek CHC at Jane and Wilson, Taibu CHC in Malvern, Rexdale CHC in Etobicoke, Bramalea CHC in Brampton, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands CHC, downtown Toronto, and many others. Make use of this opportunity to get your Pap Test and other medical procedures done.

If you are over 21 years of age and have never done a Pap Test or did the last one more than two years ago, you should make an appointment with your family doctor or visit one of the many community health centres soon, and do the test. Remember the earlier a problem is detected the easier it is to correct and prevent situations that could lead to cancer.

Your health is in your hands, so make the right move by doing the Pap Test as recommended, and continue to live life to the fullest. 

Allan Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. He can be reached at ajones@jjmedical.ca.

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