“Why do I need a Pap? I got a Pap the last time I was here.”
As providers, we often hear this from our patients and are unable to find documentation to support this statement. There are no results in the chart and no documentation that a Pap smear was obtained.
What we find instead is that the patient had a pelvic exam that may have included a gen-probe, a wet-mount, or even simply a bi-manual exam. No collection of cervical cells was obtained for a Pap smear.
Often, patients believe that any time they are in the stirrups they had a “Pap smear”. This can lead to lack of follow up by the patient because they feel “they already had that test” and don’t need to come back to do it again.
Below you will find some answers to some very common questions to give you an understanding of what is necessary to maintain your reproductive health.
Why do I need a Pap smear? What is that for anyway? 
During a Pap smear, your provider takes a random sampling of the cells from the surface of your cervix (mouth of your womb) and sends them to be analyzed by the pathologist. The pathologist is trained to look at these cells and determine if they are changing and possibly becoming “pre-cancerous”.
What makes a Pap smear different from other pelvic exams?
Other things can be evaluated during a pelvic exam such as STDs, vaginal infections, pelvic infections, and structural abnormalities. None of these exams, however, are looking for pre-cancerous cells like the Pap smear.
So, when do I need to get a Pap smear?
This depends on a few things. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), if you are 18 years or older, you need to have a pap every year. However, if you are under 18 years of age but have begun to have sex, you need to have a Pap smear within three years of starting sexual activity.
My friend said her doctor told her she doesn’t need to have a Pap every year so why do I?
The ACS has determined it is appropriate to screen a woman less frequently depending upon her previous Pap smear results and other risk factors. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to start having the Pap smear less frequently.
I can’t afford to get a Pap smear. Besides, I don’t want anyone touching me down there but my partner.
It would cost more not to get the test and end up with cervical cancer. No woman enjoys having a Pap smear and pelvic exam. However, statistics show us that 60-80% of American women with newly diagnosed invasive cervical cancer had not had a Pap smear in the past 5 years or greater. That seems like high odds to play against just to avoid having to be “touched down there”.
Early detection of pre-cancerous cervical cells through Pap smears greatly improves your chances of successful treatment and gives your healthcare provider a fighting chance in preventing you from ever getting cervical cancer.
We, as healthcare providers, urge you to take advantage of this small inconvenience to prevent a devastating diagnosis of cancer.
Thankfully, women have this test available to help prevent a horrible disease.
by: Julie Colna, R.N.
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