WHAT IS CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?

Cervical Smear test is not a test for cancer.It is a screening test to look for abnormal changes in cells on the surface of the cervix(the neck of the uterus or womb)
Some abnormal cells can develop into cancer if they are not treated.Treatment of abnormal cells is very effective at preventing cancer. Women who have smear tests every three years reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer by about 90 %.

SHOULD HAVE A CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?

All women who are sexually active should have a smear tests from the time they turn 20 until they reach 70 years old. This include single women,lesbians,disabled women,women who have been through menopause and women who are no longer having sex. Women who have had a Hysterectomy,need to check with their doctor whether they still need to have smear tests. Women who have never had sex do not need to have cervical smear tests.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED A CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?

You should have a smear test every three years. Sesearch show thatthere is a very little extra benefit in having the test more often. But if this is you first cervical smear test,or if you have not had one for over five years,you will be advised to have the second in a year’s time. In some circumstances,you may be advised to have it to done more often,for example,if you have had an abnormal result.

WHERE DO YOU GO FOR A CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?

You have a choice of where to go for a cervical smear test.Some of the following healthcare provides have women smears taken:

You own doctors.

Sometimes nurses are also trained to take cervical smears.

Family Planning Centre.

Community Health Clinic.

HOW IS THE TEST DONE?

You will be asked to lie on you side or back with you knees bend. A sheet is draped over the lower part of you body. The smears taker gently opens the vagina with an instrument called a speculum. The smears taker carefully takes a sample of cells from the surface of the cervix with a small spatula or tiny brush.This will take just a few minutes.
The sample is then sent to the laboratory to be examined.

WHEN DO YOU GO FOR A CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?

The best time to have a routine smear is about two weeks after start of you last menstrual period.
It is not recommended that you have a smear while you have you period.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE CERVICAL SMEAR TEST?

Cervical smear tests are a very good screening tool,but they are not perfect.
In about 20% of cases,abnormal cell changes can be missed and a result is reported as normal.This calleda false negative. In about one in 20 cases,the result says a women has some abnormal cells when she doesn’t.This is called a false positive. Regular smear are important as these abnormal cells will usually be found three years later when the women has another smear. As cervical cancer usually takes many years to develop,abnormals cell can still be treated to stop them becoming cancerous.