Do your Pap smear!
Published: Saturday | April 11, 2009
This swab is used in a Pap smear to gather a few cells from the cervix. It is used while the speculum is in place. The swab is smeared on the slide.
Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Women are being urged to visit a gynaecologist to undergo Pap smears to identify cervical cancer as soon as possible.
It is recommended that all women begin yearly Pap tests at age 18 or when they become sexually active, whichever occurs earlier.
However, some women shy away from this test because of the discomfort they endure.
"I don't like to go to the doctor and I think that because I am not sexually active right now, I don't think I need to do one," Marie Gordon told Saturday Life.
The Jamaica Cancer Society said the vast majority of cervical cancers can be prevented. One such way is by doing a Pap smear.
According to the Jamaica Cancer Society, cancer of the cervix begins in the lining of the cervix. Cervical cancers, the association said, do not form suddenly. There is a gradual change from a normal cervix to pre-cancer to cancer.
April is being observed as Cancer Awareness Month, with a special focus on cervical cancer.
Marcia English was uncomfortable with some symptoms that she was having, so she decided to take a trip to her doctor, who recommended a Pap smear. The results showed that she had developed cervical cancer.
English underwent a series of chemotherapy and radiation. She said it was a difficult period for her but she managed to pull through.
"I am happy that I went to the doctor when I did or I would be a dead woman today," English told Saturday Life.
English, who lost weight and hair during the treatment, advised women to get a Pap smear done.
"It might be a little uncomfortable but it can save your life," she said.
Janice Turner ensures that she has her Pap smear done annually.
"Many persons in my family have had cervical cancer and I do not want to die from this preventable disease, so I have to do my annual smear," Turner told Saturday Life.
She added: "I don't understand why some people don't want to get this test done. I think it is better to be uncomfortable for a few minutes than being dead."
petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com
How a Pap test is done?
The health-care provider first inserts a speculum, a metal or plastic instrument that keeps the vagina open so that the cervix can be seen clearly. Next, a sample of cells and mucus is lightly scraped from the ectocervix using a small spatula.
A small brush or a cotton-tipped swab is used to take a sample from the endocervix. These samples are then smeared on glass slides. The slides are sent to the lab where specially trained technologists and doctors examine the samples under a microscope.
Source: Jamaica Cancer Society