Pap Smear: A little Awkward, but a must
A pap smear is a simple test for women to detect the prevalence of Cervical cancer. It is also used to detect the HPV virus, some strands of which are known to cause cervical cancer.
It is a quick and relatively simple procedure and causes only a mild and brief discomfort for women during the process. A pap smear or pap test will involve collecting cells from the walls of your cervix which will then be examined for the presence of abnormal cells. The cost of a pap smear test depends on certain factors which will be elaborated later in this article.
Are you at risk?
Women from the ages of 21 and above are advised to get a pap smear test once every few years. If you have a weakened immune system from chemotherapy, you may be more likely to carry the HPV virus and be susceptible to developing cervical cancer. While sexually active women are at a higher risk of catching an HPV, those who are not are still advised to get themselves a pap smear test to make sure they are under no risk.
What happens at a pap smear test?
Women who attend a pap smear test will have to make sure they notify their doctors if they are menstruating as it may affect the results of the test. You may even want to reschedule the test as it could distort the results. It is also advisable to avoid certain activities before the test which your doctor will be able to advise you of. Once at the test, the doctor will collect a few sample cells from the walls of your cervix and send these for examination. These tests are highly accurate and are known to drastically reduce cervical cancer and mortality rates.
Understanding Cervical Cancer
Early stages of cervical cancer are generally free of symptoms and it could lay dormant for years if not for life. However, if and when there is a vaginal mass or bleeding, you may want to have your doctor check you for cervical cancer immediately. HPV infections are one of the biggest risk factors for cervical cancer. However, not all causes are known or yet discovered. Smoking is also a culprit of cervical cancer. Both passive and active smoking increases the risk of cervical cancer.
The Cost of a pap smear test
The cost of a pap smear test is generally covered by your insurance but if it is not, here are a few factors that could affect the cost of a pap smear test. Your age, whether or not you have any pre-existing conditions and if you are looking for any additional tests to be conducted. These are factors that could affect the cost of a pap smear.
If you or someone you know would like to get a pap smear test done, perhaps you should check into a GMCClinic. With several years of experience, top-of-the-line facilities and highly trained staff, you can be sure you are in capable and caring hands. The clinic is also holding a promotional winter offer that includes a GP consultation and pap smear test all for a very reasonable price across all its branches.
