A Pap smear should be a routine part of every woman’s preventive care. Stefan Novac, MD, FACOG, provides this cervical cancer screening along at ACE OBGYN in Pembroke Pines and Weston, Florida. To learn more about Pap smears, call the office to schedule an appointment, or use the online scheduler to book now.
A Pap smear, often called a Pap test, is a screening that Dr. Novac uses to check for abnormal cell changes on your cervix, which could mean there’s a problem. The test gets its name from the man who created it, George Papanicolaou. It’s recommended for women between the ages of 21 and 65.
Because abnormal cell changes can be a sign of precancerous conditions or that cervical cancer has developed, the Pap smear is a crucial component of your gynecological health care.
Dr. Novac can also use a Pap smear to test for certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HPV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
During the test, you’ll lie on your back on a table in your private room. Your feet go into stirrups while Dr. Novac inserts a speculum into your vagina. This gives him a clear view of your cervix so he can take a quick swab of your cervical cells. He places the swab in a tube that he sends to the lab. He removes the speculum, and the test is over. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete.
If the lab determines that some of your cells are abnormal, Dr. Novac calls you back for further testing. Abnormal cells don’t automatically mean you have cancer. You could have an infection, inflammation, or an STD. You may need a second Pap smear or a colposcopy, which is a tissue biopsy.
If your Pap smear and colposcopy confirm that there are abnormal cells on your cervix, Dr. Novac recommends one of the following procedures:
To find out more about Pap smears and how to catch potential cervical problems early, call ACE OBGYN, or use the online scheduler to book now.
