Cancer of the cervix is widely recognised as one of the most preventable cancers. A reliable screening test, the Pap smear, exists which can detect early changes in the cervix (neck of the womb), before they have a chance to develop into cancer. Regular Pap smears are known to reduce occurrence and deaths from cervical cancer.
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is a quick and simple testduring which a number of cells are collected from the cervix. These cells are then sent to a laboratory to check for any changes. The Pap smear is designed to find early changes in cervical cells which can be treated to prevent cancer developing.
These early changes are not cancer, but if they are not monitored or treated appropriately, they may develop into cancer. Research has shown that the majority of women (three out of four) who develop cervical cancer have not had a Pap smear or have not had one regularly, every two years.
No drugs or anaesthetics are used during the procedure which only takes a few minutes. Your Pap smear provider can be a General Practitioner, Registered Nurse, Obstetrician/Gynaecologist or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Health Worker. Pap smear providers receive special training in providing Pap smears.
But I don't have any symptoms - why should I have a Pap smear?
Cervical cancer, in its early stages, may show no symptoms. Research has shown that the majority of women (three out of four) who develop cervical cancer have not had a Pap smear or have not had one regularly, every two years. It is important to note that over 90% of Pap smears are normal. Only a small number show changes in the cells of the cervix. Most of these changes are due to the human papillomavirus (HPV) which usually clears up naturally without treatment. In a small number of women, these changes may develop into a high grade abnormality and in an even smaller number, may progress to cervical cancer. When detected early by a Pap smear, these changes can be treated and cured. This is why having Pap smears every two years is so important.
How effective is a Pap smear?
Research suggests that up to 90% of the most common form of cancer of the cervix could be prevented if all women had regular Pap smears every two years.
Who should have a Pap smear?
All women who have ever had sexual contact should commence having Pap smears between the ages of 18 - 20, or within two years after first sexual contact, whichever is later. This includes male to female and female to female contact. Women can stop having Pap smears at the age of 70, provided they have had two normal Pap smears in the previous five years.
How often should I have a Pap smear?
Women should continue having regular Pap smears every two years.
Why do some women have Pap smears more often than every two years?
Women may be advised by their Pap smear provider that they need a Pap smear, even if it is less than two years since their last Pap smear. These may include:
When am I due for my next Pap smear?
If you can't remember when you had your last Pap smear and would like to know when you are due for your next one, you can phone the Queensland Health Pap Smear Register on 1800 777 790.
Where can I get more information about Pap smears?
Further information about Pap smears can be found in the brochure - Early detection is the best protection.
A brief history
The Pap smear is named after the man who developed it in the 1930s, Dr George Papanicolaou. The Pap smear became available to Australian women in the 1960s.
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© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.
