Regular pap tests are useful in detecting cervical cancer before it advances. The test can also catch abnormal cervical cells before they lead to cancer. A South Charleston Pap smear can help you maintain healthy reproductive health through regular examinations.

What does the test involve?

When you visit your healthcare provider, you lift your legs and put them in stirrups. The process is not painful; you will only feel a small sensation. With your legs spread, your specialist will use a sterile instrument to pluck a sample from your cervix. The test takes less than five minutes.

Who is the right candidate for the test?

Once you reach your twenties, you should visit your doctor, and both of you will come up with a schedule of check-ups that suit you. Your doctor can recommend an annual exam or a test every two years according to your needs, medical history, or existing health conditions. 

Sixty-five years and older women do not need regular cervical examinations if their last three tests have produced normal results. However, women over 65 with a compromised immune system should consider continuing regular examinations.

Benefits of regular Pap smear tests

If you go for regular pap tests and have normal results, you will be at m peace than someone who doesn’t know the status of their cervix. The other upside of the check-up is that you will receive early treatment if your doctor finds abnormal cervix cells.

The following are the most common benefits of having regular cervical examinations:

Early detection of abnormal cells

Regular examinations help detect abnormal cervical cells before they turn into cancerous cells. If your specialist finds such cells, they will be able to provide early treatment. If you delay a cervical examination, the abnormal cells might already have become cancerous.

Cancer prevention

Your doctor can recommend treatment in case of abnormal cells. You will receive treatment for precancerous cells, minimizing cancer risk.

A less vigorous course of treatment

Abnormal cells and cancerous cells require different modes of treatment. Abnormal cells require a less vigorous course of treatment than cancer cells which require more intensive treatment methods. If your specialist catches abnormal cells early on and you undergo treatment, you will not be at risk of getting cancer. 

Reduce the spread of cancer cells

Early diagnosis of any condition minimizes the chances of the disease spreading to other body parts. If your doctor catches cervical cancer in its early stages, they can prevent it from spreading by administering suitable treatment methods.

When to see your healthcare provider

If you are in your twenties and have never had a Pap smear test, now is the time to visit a specialist. It is best if you don’t wait for symptoms to appear before you visit a physician. When you schedule regular check-ups, also called well-woman examinations, you will be at peace because you will know your status.

At Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc., you will meet qualified and experienced physicians who can help you with your reproductive health. Call or book an appointment online and stay on top of your cervical health.