How often should women be screened?
SHAWN BIGGERS, MD: I tell my patients that annual screening is necessary. It should be annually, usually starting at the age of 18, or when a patient first becomes sexually active. It should continue on an annual basis.
How long should a woman continue to get Pap smears? Should elderly women be tested?
SHAWN BIGGERS, MD: Absolutely. One misconception is that, after multiple normal Pap smears, you can consider yourself not at risk. There are a significant number of women who will develop cervical cancer in their fifties and sixties. There are certain cases where we may do screening less frequently. But even women who are in their fifties and sixties should be getting annual Pap smears.
Who can perform a Pap smear?
SHAWN BIGGERS, MD: Traditionally, your gynecologist performs it at the annual GYN exam. An internist will often perform the test. Nurse practitioners or physicians' assistants who are trained in the technique can do the Pap smear as well.
What does an abnormal Pap smear result mean?
SHAWN BIGGERS, MD: When we talk about abnormal Pap smears, we're generally not talking about Pap smears that show cervical cancer. They usually show slightly abnormal cells that tell us that we need to take a second look by doing some follow-up procedures.
We often pick up abnormalities that mean nothing, and often we miss some abnormalities.
