Pap Testing

All women who are, or who have been, sexually active should be screened. We suggest pap testing should be commenced within three years of first vaginal sexual activity (intercourse, oral, digital, shared devices). If people have NOT been sexually active, they do NOT need to be screened.

 

The sensitivity of pap testing for low grade changes is not high, necessitating repeat testing.

 

Acetic acid turns cervical dysplasia white and irritates the cervix, causing vasodilation.

Pap testing will be abnormal in 50% of visible disease.

 

Screening Guidelines

Guidelines vary by region.

Many regions recommend screening be done annually until a number of consecutive negative tests are done, after which screening frequency should be decreased.

If people have not been screened in the past five years, they should be screened annually until they have three consecutive negative pap tests. Screening should be discontinued after the age of 75, only if there has never been treatment for cervical disease.

 

 

Abnormal Pap Smears

Mosaicism - white tiles with blood vessels underneath.

Coarse mosaicism suggests high grade