Pap Smear Test in Jacksonville, Florida

Pap smears and cervical disease

The aim of a pap smears is to detect early, pre-cancerous stages of cell change, before those changes develop into a cervical cancer. Treatment of early pre-cancerous changes (cervical dysplasia) can prevent the development of most cervical cancers. Early detection of existing cancers reduces cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.
Most women are now recommended to have a pap every 3-5 years. These new pap smear screening guidelines apply to women who are at average risk for cervical cancer (asymptomatic and immunocompetent women with adequate screening and normal paps starting at age 21 years). According to guidelines, starting at age 30, we also test all women periodically for HPV (human papilloma virus). The human papilloma virus is responsible for over 99% of all cervical cancers, and thus women who have high risk HPV are monitored more closely for dysplasia. Some women are at higher risk for cervical dysplasia and cancer and receive more frequent paps. This is generally due to history of a prior abnormal pap, persistent high risk HPV, immunosuppression from medications or HIV, DES exposure as a fetus, or inflammatory bowel disease. Women with clinical findings such as bleeding after intercourse, cervical lesions, or cervical pain, may also need a pap outside of the normal screening schedule as part of a diagnostic workup.