Pap smear - for your dear ones {Revathi Raj Iyer}

During my routine health check up at the Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad with the Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, I came to know that most women, including the educated ones, do not have a Pap smear check-up done. The general awareness levels seem to be very low. Pap smear is a simple test to check if your cervix is healthy and can detect early signs of cervical cancer. A simple test can find abnormal cells before cancer develops. How wonderful is that? Why shouldn’t we make us of this test to make sure we are okay, for our own good and family? All women between the ages of 18 and 70, who have been sexually active (albeit with a single partner), should have Pap smear test once in every 3 years. Women above 40 years of age are urged to have this test done at least once for detection because the risk of cervical cancer increases with age. “I have been through menopause. Do I still need Pap smear?”  “Oh, yes! You do.” “Is there a vaccine for this virus that causes cervical cancer?” “Yes, it is available for young girls below the age of 27 years. Dear ladies and girls - please take a moment from your busy routine and think: When did you last have Pap smear test? When did you urge any of your family members to have this done? Do you know that most cancer of the cervix can be prevented if each woman had a Pap smear check once every 3 years? It is not painful at all, maybe bit of a discomfort momentarily, that’s all. Do you know that there is a Vaccine available that can help prevent cervical cancer? If you are in the age group of 12 to 26 years or have a daughter in that age bracket, it will be wise to talk to your doctor about this Vaccine, to have a better understanding. ******* Courtesy: Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad; with inputs from Dr. Usha Bohra- MS (Obs-Gyn), FRCOG (UK), MRCP (Dublin) Director (Dept of Obs & Gyn), Gynaec Cancer & Laproscopic Surgeon