#Papanicolaou smear

[ganitsoni]

Understanding Breast Cancer Treatment: Exploring Surgeries and Therapies

Breast cancer is a serious illness that requires careful treatment. There are different ways to treat breast cancer, including surgeries and therapies. In this article, we'll look at the types of surgeries and therapies used to treat breast cancer. We'll explain what they are, how they work, and why they're important.

Types of Surgeries:

Lumpectomy: A lumpectomy is a surgery where doctors remove the tumor and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue from the breast. It's often used for early-stage breast cancer to help keep as much of the breast as possible.

Mastectomy: Mastectomy is when doctors remove the whole breast to treat breast cancer. There are different types of mastectomy, depending on how much tissue is removed.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: This surgery helps doctors see if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Doctors find and remove a few lymph nodes to check for cancer cells.

Types of Therapies:

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses special beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It's often used after surgery to make sure any leftover cancer cells are gone.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is when patients take special drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It's used before or after surgery to help get rid of cancer cells and prevent them from coming back.

Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy blocks hormones that can make breast cancer grow. It's used for hormone-sensitive breast cancer to stop cancer cells from growing.

Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy attacks specific parts of cancer cells to stop them from growing. It's a newer type of treatment that can be very effective for certain types of breast cancer. Combination Therapies:

Neoadjuvant Therapy: This therapy is given before surgery to shrink tumors and make them easier to remove. It helps make surgery more successful.

Adjuvant Therapy: Adjuvant therapy is given after surgery to help lower the risk of cancer coming back. It can include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy.

Conclusion: Breast cancer treatment is complex, but there are many ways to fight it. Surgeries and therapies play a big role in helping people beat breast cancer. By understanding the different types of surgeries and therapies available, patients and their doctors can work together to come up with the best treatment plan for each person. With the right treatment, many people with breast cancer can go on to live long, healthy lives.

[ganitsoni9951]

Understanding Cervical Cancer Treatment in Hyderabad

Cervical cancer is a significant health issue for women in Hyderabad, India. However, with advancements in medical science, there are more treatment options available. Dr. Chinnababu, a renowned oncologist, is leading the way in providing effective treatments for cervical cancer patients in Hyderabad.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. It is usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), but other factors like smoking and weakened immune systems can also contribute. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment.

Diagnosis

In Hyderabad, doctors use various tests to diagnose cervical cancer. These include Pap smears, HPV testing, colposcopy, and biopsy. These tests help doctors determine the stage and severity of the cancer, which guides treatment decisions.

Treatment Options

Treatment for cervical cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the patient's overall health. In Hyderabad, patients have access to several treatment options:

Surgery: Surgery may be recommended for early-stage cervical cancer. It can involve removing the cancerous tissue or the entire uterus. Dr. Chinnababu specializes in minimally invasive surgeries, which have shorter recovery times and fewer complications.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It can be delivered externally or internally through brachytherapy. Hyderabad has advanced radiation therapy equipment to deliver precise treatment.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It can be given alone or in combination with other treatments. Dr. Chinnababu designs personalized chemotherapy plans for each patient.

Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy targets specific molecules involved in cancer growth. It can be used for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer. Immunotherapy is a type of targeted therapy that boosts the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.

Conclusion

Cervical cancer treatment in Hyderabad offers hope for patients. Dr. Chinnababu and his team are dedicated to providing the best care possible. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with cervical cancer, don't hesitate to seek medical advice and explore treatment options available in Hyderabad. Early detection and personalized treatment plans can improve outcomes and quality of life for cervical cancer patients.

[ididitforthedogs]

I haven't seen anything on Tumblr about this (probably because it's so new) but the FDA just approved self collected HPV testing as an alternative to pap smears.

If your doctor tells you to do this: get a new doctor and/or a different opinion.

HPV only testing is not sufficient to find cervical cancer, particularly self collected. Yes, HPV usually causes cervical cancer, however it doesn't always. HPV only testing will miss all of the other cases of cervical cancer. In addition, HPV testing is not completely accurate. If the virus has completely integrated into the cells, then you will test negative despite the face that you do, in fact, have HPV. This is particularly concerning because integrated HPV is the most dangerous.

I know that the plural of anecdotes is not evidence, however I've seen far too many high grade lesions test negative for HPV. These are lesions that need to be followed closely and sent for colposcopy and biopsy, and if it has been only HPV testing, these patients would miss the care that they need.

The pap smear is probably the most effective cancer screening program there is and it has saved countless lives. Cervical cancer kills. Cervical cancer is on the rise in younger women, despite the HPV vaccine. HPV only testing will kill people. Not only that, but pap smears can find other cancers and it's essential to visit a gynecologist annually for other preventative care and cancer screening (ie, breast).

I know self collection seems easy. I know pap smears are uncomfortable. But your health matters. You matter.

[ijcimr]

Prevalence of cervical epithelial cell dysfunction in Papanicolaou smears reports in low-risk population referred to Imam Reza hospital by Dr. Nahid Arian pour in International Journal of Clinical Images and Medical Reviews

Abstract

Background: Epithelial cell abnormality is the outcome of a viral infection. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the main causative agent of cervical dysplasia. Cervical dysplasia caused as a consequence of infection by this sexually transmitted virus is characterized by abnormal cells on the cervix.

Various laboratory tests with varying specificity and sensitivity, have been set for diagnosis. The present study has been carried out in order to determine the prevalence rate of cervical epithelial cell dysfunction in Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reports in low risk population referred to Imam Reza hospital- Tehran- Iran from January 2019 till August 2020.

Methods: 676 women of low risk group referring to obstetrics and gynecology clinic - Imam Reza hospital- Tehran –Iran since January 2019 till August 2020 were the study cases. Information regarding presence of atrophy while examination, erosion, cervicitis, infection, Polyp, abnormal vascularity, candidiasis was collected from patients and were recorded in a check list. Patient's sample (pap smear) was collected for pathological examination. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.

Results: Pap smear examination revealed 662 out of 676 (97.5%) cases had no abnormality in cervical epithelial cells. In 12 cases abnormality was of ASCUS type (%1.77).

Conclusion: Results of Pap smear test revealed low frequency of cervical epithelial cell abnormality among low risk group. Out of the influencing factors, cervicitis, followed by erosion, abnormal vascularity and infection seem to be more common.

Key Words- Pap smear, Low risk group, Bethesda system, ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL, Cervical Dysplasia, Cervical Smear Test.

Introduction

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable malignancies among human cancers. Infection of the uterine cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main causative agent of cervical cancer [1]. About 15 high-risk types of human papilloma virus have been identified, which are responsible for cervical neoplasia and other related cancers [2]. Cervical cancer with worldwide distribution, though a preventable disease, is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women [1]. High risk HPV types lead to higher risk of developing cervical cancer compared to low risk types or are not being infected with HPV, at all [1]. The main characteristics of cervical dysplasia following infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is abnormal cells on the cervix. The main screening strategy to reduce cervical cancer incidence is to detect precancerous lesions that can be treated before evolving to cancer [3]. Detection of cervical pre-cancer lesions can be achieved on the basis of cytology, implemented decades ago, or by HPV screening for women aged 30 years or older [1]. In most industrial countries cytology-based prevention programs, led to a significant reduction in the incidence and mortality from cervical cancer [1]. In other words, screening reduced the incidence of cervical cancer by at least 60%, and cancer specific mortality by 20–60% [4]. Papanicolaou (Pap) test, both conventional and liquid type, is routinely used to detect cervical epithelial cell abnormality [5]. In spite of its merits as a diagnostic and screening test, Pap test is not 100% accurate [3]. The present study has been carried out in order to determine the prevalence rate of cervical epithelial cell dysfunction in Papanicolaou (Pap) smear reports in low risk population referred to Imam Reza hospital- Tehran- Iran from January 2019 till August 2020.

Materials and Methods

Patient selection: 676 patients referring to obstetrics and gynecology clinic of Imam Reza hospital, Tehran – Iran from January 2019 till August 2020 were the study cases. The patients were included in the study on the basis of the inclusion criteria.

Inclusion criteria: Absence of risk factors for cervical cancer including having single partnership, pap smear test performed by a particular pathology laboratory, low risk cases.

Exclusion criteria : Multiple sex partners of herself or husband, pap smear test performed by other pathology laboratories, immune-suppressed patients, patients diagnosed suffering genital wart, presence of previous epithelial cell abnormality in PAP tests performed earlier, use of vaginal lubricant, gel or any cream or having intercourse 48 hours prior to sample collection, previous positive HPV test.

Study cases: Patients' age ranged from 20 up to 79 years. All the cases were married with different number of children born by Normal Vaginal Delivery (NVD) or cesarean section or both.

Methodology: Patients were examined for the presence of infection and any macroscopic abnormality. A pap smear was collected from every patient. An expert performed the PAP test sampling and fixation throughout the study to minimize the errors. Patients were asked to get the pathological examination of the smear done from a specific laboratory.

A questionnaire containing questions regarding the age, marriage age, number of sex partners, number of deliveries and abortions, kind of contraceptives used, … was filled by every patient. Result of pap smear and cervix outlook are the parameters considered in this study. A consent form was signed by each patient. Patients̛ grouping and complications are presented in Table 1. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis of the data.

Table 1: Common complications of different age groups.

Results

Study cases: Patients' age ranged from 20 up to 79 years with mean and median of 40±13.62 and 40.69±13.62 years respectively. Kolmogorov-Smirnov [6] and Shapiro-Wilk [7] tests indicate a normal distribution of the data (p>0.05). All the patients were married. Mean and median of their marriage age were 20±3.987 and 19.97±3.987 years respectively. Their minimum and maximum marriage age were 12 and 43 years respectively. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests indicate a normal distribution of the data of this variable (p>0.05). 97.5% of patients had one sex partner while 2.4% cases had married for the second time (considered as 2 partners). One case did not answer this question. 46.4% of patients had normal cervix. According to the information obtained from the questionnaire, 163 cases had given birth to child by both vaginal (41.5%) as well as cesarean section (58.5%) and 37 cases (18.5%) had no history of delivery. Maximum and minimum normal vaginal delivery were 8 and 0 respectively. 77 cases had delivery one year after first intercourse, while 2, 56,17, 7, 3 and 1 cases delivered their first child one and half, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years after the first intercourse, respectively. Total number of abortions reported was 170 out of 676 cases. Microscopic examination of pap smears revealed 662 out of 676 (97.5%) cases had no abnormality in cervical epithelial cells (Table 2). Microscopic findings of patients‘ sample are also illustrated in Table 2 revealing that 14 (%2.07) patients showed epithelial cell abnormality in their pap smears:  In 12 cases abnormality was of ASCUS type (%1.77). No patients had HSIL, 2 patients had LSIL, one in each age groups of 30-39 and 40-49 years. 16.1% of cases suffered cervical atrophy, 2 cases had vaginosis and 2 patients were infected with Candida. The commonest complication in this group was cervicitis which was observed in 6 cases, erosion was observed in 4 cases and infection due to Candidiasis in 2 cases, atrophy was observed by direct observation in 1 case. Out of these 14 cases, 3 had normal vaginal examination. The mean of ASCUS cases was 4.44 that was found in age group of 60-69 years. The marriage age was the only influencing variable on mild form (p<0.05) with about 9% increase in it.

Table 2: Cases with Normal epithelium

Different types of contraceptives used by patients are presented in Figure I. test was used to find out if the type of contraceptive used and inflammation caused while collecting sample for Pap smear are co-related. The statistical analysis using Phi test with Phi correlation coefficient of 0.175 and Cramer correlation coefficient of 0.087 indicates a non- significant relationship.

χ2 test was used to find out if the type of delivery and inflammation caused while collecting sample for Pap smear are co-related. The value of 5.36 indicates that there is non- significant relationship.

To find out if the number of deliveries and inflammation caused while collecting sample for Pap smear are co-related, χ2 test was used. Pearson Chi-Square test with 44 degrees of freedom is equal to 67.53 which is significant at 5% level. Their co-relation on the basis of Phi test with Phi correlation coefficient of 0.350 and Cramer correlation coefficient of 0.175 indicates a significant correlation.

To find out if the number of abortions and inflammation caused while collecting sample for Pap smear are co-related we used χ2 test. Pearson Chi-Square test shows a non- significant relationship. Their co-relation on the basis of Phi test with Phi correlation coefficient of 0.162 and Cramer correlation coefficient of 0.081 is non-significant.

To find out the relationship between patients' age and inflammation due to sample collection for PAP test using  relation coefficient, shows a weak significant relationship.

To find out the strongest relationship for a particular variable, scatter diagram – 1 is drawn. According to the scatter diagram - 1, age is the only determinant factor for ASCUS (p<0.05) and no other factor is so effective.  Also, by a single year increase in the age, the rate of ASCUS increases up to 8%; which is equal to 1.083 times its probability. Thereby, chance of infection increases by 8 percent for single unit increase in the age. 19.1% of all patients had mild inflammation, 23.8% had moderate and 7.2% suffered severe form of inflammation. Scatter diagram – 2 is drawn to study the correlations between the studied variables and to determine which variables are related. Logistic regression outcome reveals none of the studied variables has any effect on LSIL as the significance value of all the studied variables is more than 0.05. 50.1 percent had normal pap smear.

Figure 1: Type of contraceptive used by patients IUD= Intra Uterine Device OCP= Oral contraceptive pills, WD=withdrawal COND= condom TL= Tubal ligation VAS=Vasectomy

Scattered Diagram 1- Relationship between age and type of epithelial abnormality

Scattered Diagram 2

Discussion

Cervical cancer with an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths is the fourth cause of cancer death worldwide in 2020 [8]. Globally,528 000 new cases of this cancer were diagnosed in 2012; of these, about 85%, occurred in less developed parts of the world and 266000 women died of it throughout the world. In another word, 231000 women who lived in low- to middle income countries died of this type of cancer. While, only 35 000, or just 1 in 10 women suffering from cervical cancer lived and died in high-income countries [3]. Cervical cancer is one of the preventable cancers involving primary (HPV vaccine) and secondary (screening) preventive measures. More than 30% of women of low middle income countries (LMICs) had received HPV vaccination programs compared with less than 80% of high-income countries [8]. In Iran, this viral infection and its resultant disease has also been reported and nation-wide screening program has been performed since 1980s. In the present study, out of 676 study cases, 97.8% had normal epithelial cell and 46.45 percent cases had normal cervix examination. Only 2.2% of our patients suffered from signs related to epithelial cell abnormality.

According to Majidi et al. (2016) incidence of cervical cancer is low in Iran [9]. Crosbie et al. (2013) estimated average prevalence rate of cervical infection with HPV at a given point, and at any time is about 10·4%, with higher prevalence rate (16·9%) in women younger than 25 years. [2]. In contrast to Crosbie et al s findings, our findings indicate a lower incidence rate as our patients are chosen from low-risk population i.e. almost all are of ASCUS type. In Iran, like many other countries, routine screening for cervical cancer is based on the microscopic examination of smears collected from the cervical mucosa, performed by conventional Pap smear test. Screening by cervical cytology in United States in the mid20th century reduced mortality from squamous cell cervical cancer [10]. More so, it led to increased number of women being identified with HPV-negative, ASCUS-cytology results [11], as is the case in the present study. Whilst cervical cancer, once the most frequent cause of cancer death in women, now ranks 14th for cancer deaths [11]. High-quality screening with cytology (Pap testing) has markedly reduced mortality from squamous cell cervical cancer, which comprises 80–90% of cervical cancers [9-11].

Screening interval that varies between countries, is an important issue. Cervical screening is performed every 3 years in the United States, New Zealand, and Norway, while its interval is 5 years in Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands [12]. In Iran, annual cervical cancer screening program was performed for age range of 20 to 65 years. Since 2017, it changed to 3 year intervals for women at the age of 30 to 59, following three consecutive normal results. Sawaya and Smith-McCune (2007) suggested that molecular DNA test performed for HPV diagnosis every 10 years for women at the age of 35 years and more is preferred as DNA HPV test is a novel and effective screening method [13]. There is no doubt that such screening programs reduce the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer, globally [13].

Starting age of screening also varies in different countries. Screening starts at the age of 25 in United Kingdom, France, Italy and Portugal and at the age of 21 in the United States and Canada [12]. Cervical cancer screening in countries like Finland, Korea, the Netherlands and China begins at the age of 30 to 35 years [12]; while according to National Health service, cervical screening program is to be done every three years for women between the age of 25 - 49 years and every five years for women past 50 [14]. In spite of previous recommendation of annual or biannual cervical screening, as it seems that annual screening is of little benefit and leads to increased cost (15), some guidelines in Great Britain, recommended every three years for women under 50, and every five years for those who have passed fifty [14]. In the present study, patients' age ranged from 20 to 79 years. Based on the fact that the incidence of cervical cancer in Iran is low compared to other geographical areas, we recommend three-year interval for healthy women with no history of cytological screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Worldwide, cervical cancer is a common and deadly cancer among women. Screening programs and effective treatment of precancerous lesions are available to treat the patients. In most cases, slow progression of precancerous lesions, are accompanied by abnormal cells which are detected in Pap test. The cervical screening program using the Pap smear procedure has an influencing role in reducing the incidence and mortality rate of invasive cervical cancer in many countries, including Iran. The incidence of cervical cancer is low in Iran although its mortality is remarkable. In Iran, cervical cancer screening program was performed annually in the age range of 20 to 65 previously. Since 2017 screening is performed for women at the age of 30 to 59 at 3 year intervals after three consecutive normal results.

Conflict of interest

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

 Acknowledgments

Authors thank all patients who cooperated with us in publishing the data.

For more details: https://ijcimr.org/editorial-board/

[evaymarcelo]

Y si, estamos embarazados.

Un día Eva me dice que tiene una noticia para mí, y me dice que está el test le dio positivo. A los dos días, las indicaciones del Obstetra ( chatgpt) .

English

Obstetrician: "Based on the information provided and assuming conception occurred exactly one month ago, the Estimated Due Date (EDD) for your pregnancy is around June 25, 2024."

Regarding the initial prenatal visit, here are the typical tests and procedures:

Medical History: We discuss your overall health, past pregnancies, medical conditions, and any medications you are taking.

Physical Examination: A general physical checkup to assess your health.

Pelvic Exam: An examination of the pelvic region to check for any abnormalities.

Pap Smear: If it's time for one, a pap smear may be performed.

Blood Pressure Measurement: Monitoring blood pressure is important during pregnancy.

Blood Tests: Initial blood tests to check for blood type, Rh factor, anemia, and diseases such as HIV and syphilis.

Urinalysis: A urine sample is analyzed for signs of kidney or urinary tract infections.

Ultrasound: In some cases, an early ultrasound may be conducted to confirm the pregnancy and estimate gestational age.

As for your upcoming appointments:

Week 12-13: Nuchal translucency screening for genetic abnormalities.

Week 16-20: Mid-pregnancy ultrasound to check the baby's development.

Week 24-28: Gestational diabetes screening and routine checkup.

Week 28-32: Regular prenatal visit to monitor your health and the baby's growth.

Week 36 and beyond: Weekly checkups to prepare for delivery.

En español

Obstetra: "Basándonos en la información proporcionada y suponiendo que la concepción ocurrió exactamente hace un mes, la Fecha Estimada de Parto (FEP) para tu embarazo es alrededor del 25 de junio de 2024."

En cuanto a la primera visita prenatal, aquí se encuentran las pruebas y procedimientos típicos:

Historial Médico: Discutimos tu salud en general, embarazos anteriores, condiciones médicas y cualquier medicamento que estés tomando.

Examen Físico: Un chequeo físico general para evaluar tu salud.

Examen Pélvico: Un examen de la región pélvica para detectar cualquier anormalidad.

Papanicolaou (Pap): Si es necesario, se podría realizar un Papanicolaou.

Medición de la Presión Arterial: Es importante controlar la presión arterial durante el embarazo.

Análisis de Sangre: Pruebas de sangre iniciales para verificar el tipo de sangre, el factor Rh, la anemia y enfermedades como el VIH y la sífilis.

Análisis de Orina: Se analiza una muestra de orina en busca de signos de infecciones renales o del tracto urinario.

Ecografía: En algunos casos, se podría realizar una ecografía temprana para confirmar el embarazo y estimar la edad gestacional.

En cuanto a tus próximas citas:

Primera Cita (Consulta Inicial):

Fecha: 25 de septiembre de 2023 (ya realizada).

Cita de las 12-13 Semanas:

Fecha: Alrededor del 16 de diciembre de 2023.

Cita de las 16-20 Semanas (Ecografía a Mitad del Embarazo):

Fecha: Alrededor del 27 de enero de 2024.

Cita de las 24-28 Semanas (Prueba de Diabetes Gestacional):

Fecha: Alrededor del 10 de marzo de 2024.

Cita de las 28-32 Semanas (Control de Rutina):

Fecha: Alrededor del 7 de abril de 2024.

Citas Semanales a Partir de la Semana 36 (Preparación para el Parto):

A partir del 5 de mayo de 2024 y cada semana hasta el parto.

[killed-by-choice]

“Georgia Roe,” 27 (USA 1975)

In 1975, a 27-year-old who was later given the name “Georgia” after her state underwent an abortion at 10 weeks pregnant.

Georgia’s medical history was noted in a later case report. At the age of 8, she had surgery for severe pectus excavatum. Her heart had stopped for 20 minutes, but circulation was maintained and she had no further issues noted until age 20, when possible cardiac enlargement and/or pulmonary edema was noted. A brief course of treatment relieved her and she was noted to have been living a “normal life”.

But at the age of 27, she underwent a hysterectomy abortion (removing the uterus with the fetus still inside) at 10 weeks pregnant.

It is possible that Georgia thought that the abortion would preserve her health. At some point after having three uneventful and healthy births, she had started experiencing pelvic pain, which was identified as chronic cervicitis. At the time of the abortion, she’d had a class 3 Pap smear* and a cervical biopsy showed atypical squamous metaplasia**.

It is also possible that she had the abortion because she just didn’t want another child. She had already given birth to three babies, each one born full-term with no complications from the pregnancy or birth. The reason for the abortion remains unknown.

In the recovery room, Georgia had an occasionally irregular heartbeat and ST depression was noted. Another EKG 2 days later showed "possibly a little more" ST depression. Despite this, the hospital released her after 5 days and did not have her see a doctor for a follow-up.

Georgia’s family members reported that in her last few weeks alive, she suffered from continuous vaginal bleeding. Despite her alarming symptoms and her medical history, Georgia still was not given any follow-up medical treatment.

5 weeks after the abortion, Georgia was in her car on the way to a relative’s funeral. When she got out of the car, she suddenly collapsed and died.

A doctor who had occasionally seen Georgia during her life but had not seen or treated her at any point after the abortion listed her cause of death as “coronary occlusion”, but no autopsy was ever performed.

Georgia was 1 out of 10 known deaths in the state of Georgia to happen to a client who had recently had a legal abortion in 1975. Due to a voluntary and largely ineffective reporting system, it is unknown how many more cases go unreported.

* The now-obsolete class system for papanicolaou smear testing marked the results as a class 3. This means that abnormal cells were detected, but it doesn’t confirm the presence of a dangerous problem and cells marked as class 3 will sometimes become normal again without any treatment at all. The biopsy may have been ordered after the results came back.

** Atypical squamous metaplasia can be precancerous or fully benign. It can come from a virus, hormonal conditions, polyps, menopause and more. It does not necessarily mean that the patient has or will develop cancer, but follow-up testing is usually in order.

[anyu-blue]

As someone who has gone through WAY more pap smears than the average person may ever have- get them. My own sisters had no idea what they are- and one is older than I am!! Here’s some of the questions they had you might have too:

Why is it called a Pap Smear?

“Pap” stands for “Papanicolaou“ - That’s just the name of the test- and the “smear” part Is because they take a swab, swipe the cervix, and then do a cell smear when it's time to run it- smear the cells onto a plate to look at under the microscope. It’s the same they do if a “blood smear” comes up in your bloodwork paperwork (usually to count for white, red, or other types of cells- including those of disease)!

Why can’t they just check my blood for HPV or cancer cells?

They can to an extent for strains of HPV and cancers, however (as stated above in this post) the dangerous cells are often few and present only at the site they’ll cause problems many years before they start causing said problems. If the cells/immune response indictive of cancer are detected in the blood at all, it’s usually far too late. Gotta check the source for early detection~

I’ve heard too many horror stories, isn’t it going to hurt?

.... Much can indeed be done to minimize your discomfort. My reproductive organs are extremely sensitive (like the rest of me), small- very small-, and twisted in on/on top of themselves to an extreme angle on the left side of my body. It’s uncomfortable as heck for me- at first. Those who have worked with me before and those that are new always adjust accordingly to minimize the impact they have on my body. They also always listen to me and my experiences to try and get a feel for how best to go about the procedure. I’m always offered the smallest tiered-opening speculum, time to adjust, warnings and explanations of what they’re doing before they do it, and an encouragement whenever I need it to stay relaxed. They will also stop at any time you tell or ask them to- as they absolutely should. -That’s the other thing!! Relax. Seriously. I know it’s super awkward with your bum out in the air and your legs awkwardly up in the stirrups, but the more you can do to let all of your muscles rest and avoid tensing, the less discomfort you will have. Trust me. As someone often asked to have a student or two in the room with me and the working professional because my body is so divergent from the norm... just breathe. It will go smoothly and you will be okay. Also, in my experience, if you can go to a dedicated OBGYN, do. It’s WAY less awkward, way MORE comfortable, and just a much better environment all around because it’s what they do.

I’ve been assaulted in the past- will they respect that?

YES. Oh my goodness, YES. Dedicated OBGYN clinics especially especially. You don’t have to give them details. You don’t even need to tell them if the event was traumatic or why you’re not comfortable for any reason. As long as you communicate as best you can overall with the staff and let them know you’re not sure or comfortable, they will listen. Some clinics even have opportunities for people to come and get comfortable with the clinic and/or tools in advance. Some will allow you to ask only one thing is done per visit or you can request all at once even if you’re not due or slated to need a specific test (like a mammograms or even a pap smear itself).  Some can even prescribe things to help you for the day of- and most will recommend what has helped them or one of their patients. This includes therapists and counselors and whatever they can to make sure you get the care that you need. Also- Yes, you can request the gender of the professional performing the exam for you. Sometimes you can request specific people in the clinic if you have a smaller range of comfort. Also also- you’re allowed to ask questions. As many as you like and/or need. About the procedures, about the body, about the clinic, ect ect ect. GO right ahead- most of the veterans have heard or seen it all (my professionals and their students, specifically, have now seen a very strange me and have that under their belts for if someone else like me ever comes in, and they have the experience to offer the best support they can to that person. You’re very likely to be pretty normal though and experience even less discomfort and awkwardness than I do because you’ll have nothing of note to have discussed- no learning curves to discover. I hope that brings you comfort).

Attn: People With Cervixes!

When was your last Pap smear?

Because I am tired of seeing young people (think 40 year olds!) die horribly of an almost completely preventable disease, and I haven't seen the obligatory Tumblr PSA about it, so I'm making my own.

1. CERVICAL CANCER IS REALLY BAD

Cancers that have a good prognosis are usually cancers that can be caught early--like skin cancer, which is easily seen, and therefore usually treated very early. Cervical cancer does not give you symptoms until you have very advanced disease, which means unless someone is regularly testing your cervix, you will likely not be diagnosed early. More than half of people diagnosed with cervical cancer present with advanced disease. 75% of them will be dead within 5 years. For comparison, when caught in the earliest stage, there is a 90% 5 year survival rate. Treatment for those diagnosed is chemo and radiation, and believe me, those are not fun. If you do happen to be in the lucky 25% of survivors, if your cancer comes back, you have an 85% chance of dying within a year. Also! We think of cancer as something that happens to old people, but the average age of diagnosis for cervical cancer is 50.

2. WHO GETS CERVICAL CANCER?

Cervical cancer used to be the most common cause of cancer-related death in women in America, but at this point it's basically a disease of People Without Pap Smears--developing countries, immigrants, low socioeconomic status, BIPOC, rural communities, LGBTQ, etc.

3. HOW DO PAP SMEARS SAVE YOUR LIFE?

A Pap smear is a screening test for two things: HPV, and your cervical cells. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. Literally half of the people in America have some strain of HPV on their body. Most HPV infections go away on their own (in people with healthy immune systems), but some strains are Very Bad, and some people are just Very Unlucky, and the HPV starts causing your cervical cells to turn cancerous. 91% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. So a Pap smear looks to see if your have HPV, and if so, is it one of the bad ones? And also, do you have any cancerous cells hanging about in your cervix? And! It takes 10-30 years for HPV to turn those cells into cancer, which means you have a really really long time to catch it before it becomes cancer and cut those pre-cancer cells out!

4. WHAT ABOUT THAT VACCINE?

The thing my dad said I shouldn't get because it might make me a slut. Yes! There is an HPV vaccine! You should get it! It protects you against the nine most common cancer-causing types of HPV. It's recommended starting at age 11, and you can get it up to age 45 now! (It used to be 26, but as of 2020, it's now extended.)You can get it from most primary care doctors, or from Planned Parenthood, CVS, Walgreens, etc. If you get the vaccine you still need Pap smears.

5. I HEARD YOU CAN ONLY GET THE VACCINE IF YOU'RE A VIRGIN

Fake news. While the vaccine does not treat old infections of HPV, it does prevent new ones, so while the benefits are theoretically decreased in those who have already been sexually active, it does not mean you will not benefit from having it!

6. WHO GETS PAP SMEARS?

Everyone with a cervix starting at age 21, until you lose your cervix or until you're 65. You should get them every 3-5 years (depending on your exact age and what test your doctor does).

7. BUT I GOT THE VACCINE

Nice! You still need Pap smears.

8. I HAD ONE AND IT WAS HORRIBLE/I'M SCARED OF THE EXAM

Talk to your doctor about this in advance! Good gynecologists (and other providers) will work with you to minimize discomfort as much as possible. They can use a small speculum and lots of gel, prescribe anti-anxiety medications to take in advance, and some people will even use numbing creams and/or laughing gas.

9. BUT I DON'T HAVE/CAN'T SEE A GYN

Most primary care physicians can do them! So do a lot of urgent care centers!

10. BUT I'M A LESBIAN

HPV can be transmitted through oral/genital contact, hand/genital, and even hand-to-hand-then-genital, so you still need Pap smears.

11. BUT I'M A VIRGIN/ASEXUAL

You still need Pap smears. HPV can be transmitted not just through penetrative sex, but also through oral/genital, hand/genital, and hand-to-hand-then-genital, and also 9% of cervical cancers are not caused by HPV.

12. BUT I'M A TRANSGENDER MAN

If your cervix was removed, then congrats! You do not need Pap smears. Otherwise, unfortunately, you are still at risk for cervical cancer and need to be screened.

13. BUT I'M A TRANSGENDER WOMAN

Neovaginas do not need Pap smears! Congrats! Consider getting the vaccine, though, to prevent spreading HPV to others.

14. BUT I'M A CIS-GENDERED MAN

Congrats! You do not need Pap smears! You should still consider the vaccine though, not only to prevent the spread of HPV to others, but also because HPV causes 50% of all penile cancers as well.

In summary: please please please go get your pap smear. Go get vaccinated. The spread of HPV can be prevented, and cervical cancer can be caught and treated before it even becomes cancer.

DON'T FEAR THE SMEAR

[scottfeldberg]

Billing for Well Woman Preventive Visit

Basics of Well Woman Preventive Visit A well woman preventive visit is a routine check-up that focuses on preventive care and early detection of potential health problems in women. These visits are usually conducted by healthcare providers, such as gynecologists, family physicians, or nurse practitioners. The goal of the visit is to help women maintain good health and prevent or catch any potential health problems early. During a well-woman preventive visit, the healthcare provider typically conducts a comprehensive physical exam and takes a detailed medical history. They will also usually conduct some screenings and tests, such as blood pressure screening, Pap test, clinical breast exam, mammogram, cholesterol screening, colorectal cancer screening, and STI screening. The provider may also discuss other important topics during the visit, such as family planning, contraception, and menopause. It’s generally recommended that women receive at least one preventive care visit per year beginning in adolescence and continuing across their lifespan.

Billing Medicare for Well Woman Preventive Visit To bill Medicare for a Well Woman Preventive Visit, you must use the appropriate billing codes and follow Medicare’s guidelines for preventive services. Following are the steps you need to follow:

Use the correct billing codes: Medicare uses three codes for well woman preventive visit – G0101, Q0091, and 77067 G0101: Cervical or vaginal cancer screening; pelvic and clinical breast examinationQ0091: Screening Papanicolaou smear; obtaining, preparing and conveyance of cervical or vaginal smear to laboratory 77067 – Screening mammography, bilateral (two-view study of each breast) Verify eligibility: Check that the patient is eligible for Medicare and that the visit is covered as a preventive service. Medicare covers a well woman preventive visit once every 24 months for all female beneficiaries. However, Medicare will cover the visit once every 12 months if the patient is at high risk for developing breast or cervical cancer or if they are of childbearing age and have had an abnormal Pap test in the past 36 months. Document the visit: Document the patient’s medical history, physical exam, and any other relevant information in the medical record. Submit the claim: Use the appropriate billing codes and submit the claim to Medicare. Make sure to include any necessary documentation, such as the medical record and any additional notes or reports. Follow up: Check the status of the claim and follow up with Medicare if necessary. Remember, Medicare has specific guidelines and requirements for preventive services. Make sure you understand these guidelines and follow them closely to ensure proper reimbursement.

Billing Commercial Insurances for Well Woman Preventive Visit While billing commercial insurances for well woman preventive visit, it’s important to note that insurance coverage and billing guidelines can vary depending on the specific insurance plan and the state in which you practice. Well woman preventive visit are considered a type of preventive service and are typically covered by commercial insurance plans without cost-sharing (meaning, patients are not required to pay a co-pay or deductible for the visit). However, in order to bill for these services, certain requirements must be met.

The patient must be asymptomatic (i.e., not experiencing any problems or symptoms that require additional evaluation or treatment). The visit must include a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s health status and risk factors, as well as counseling and education related to preventive care (e.g., screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, sexually transmitted infections, etc.). The visit must be performed by a qualified healthcare provider (e.g., a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant) who is licensed and credentialed to provide preventive care services. The visit must be documented in the patient’s medical record, including a description of the services provided, any counseling or education provided, and any recommendations for follow-up care. When submitting a claim for a well woman preventive visit, it is important to use the correct procedure codes to ensure that the claim is processed correctly. The following are some common CPT codes used for well woman preventive visit:

CPT code 99381-99387: Used for initial comprehensive preventive medicine evaluations for patients under age 65. CPT code 99391-99397: Used for initial comprehensive preventive medicine evaluations for patients age 65 and over. HCPCS code G0101: Used for cervical or vaginal cancer screening. HCPCS code G0444: Used for annual depression screening. While many insurance plans cover well woman preventive visit at no cost to the patient, it is important to understand that there may be out-of-pocket costs associated with certain services or tests. It is important to discuss any potential costs with the patient before scheduling the visit.

In summary, whether you are billing Medicare or any commercial insurance company, always pay careful attention to proper billing guidelines. By using the correct codes and following all necessary procedures, providers can ensure accurate insurance reimbursements for well woman preventive visit. If you need billing and coding assistance, contact us at 727-475-1834 or email us at info@legionhealthcaresolutions.com

[digimarksposts]

3 Things One Should Do To Prevent Cervical Cancer

January is dedicated to the spread of awareness about cervical cancer and below mentioned is a guide for all women - a guide that can save lives. Let's begin with understanding the basics.

What is cervical cancer?

It is a cancer of the cervix or the lower part of the uterus (womb). If not treated, it can spread to other parts such as the vagina, bladder,  rectum and even the lungs.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Human Papillomavirus(HPV) is the major contributing factor to this cancer and is transmitted through sexual contact.

HPV can be curable if diagnosed at an early stage or else it may develop into cervical cancer and cause major complications. By having effective vaccinations and tests done at a certain age, women can avoid being diagnosed with the same. Women above the age of 35 are more likely to develop chances of contracting the HPV virus. Hence, they are advised to get periodic screening, tests and consultations with oncologists in Bangalore.

Prevention is better than cure:

Cervical cancer is treatable if diagnosed at earlier stages in the best hospitals in Bangalore. With new age screenings and tests, one can eliminate the chances of the HPV virus or the development of any other pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. Read on to know the various screenings one can undergo to diagnose this cancer.

Papanicolaou test (Pap smear): A PAP test is a regular pelvic examination wherein the doctor will collect cells from the cervical wall to eliminate any chances of the development of cancer. This is advised for women above age 30 and can be repeated after 5 years combined with HPV testing if prescribed by the doctor.

VIA Screening: Visual Inspection of the cervical wall with Acetic Acid for lesions can be an effective way to rule out any possibility of the presence of cancerous cells in the cervix. Those testing positive for VIA are sent for cryotherapy immediately after the cervical biopsy.

HPV Testing: 99.9% of the time HPV is the cause for cervical cancer and can cause major complications. Testing for this can provide the patient ample time for diagnosis, treatment and cure. HPV takes 10 years to develop after screening and hence enough time to take care of oneself and begin the journey for the right treatment with an oncologist in Bangalore.

Depending on the results of your tests, the doctor prescribes further steps to be taken. The healthcare provider may either prescribe further tests or surgical procedures for the removal of cancerous cells. It is best to consult with the best oncologists at Trust-in Hospital, one of the best multispeciality hospitals in Bangalore with over 15+ departments and a world-class oncology department. This hospital provides patient-centric services at affordable prices.

Cervical Cancer screenings are carried out to eliminate chances of HPV virus or cancerous cells. Despite the age of one's first sexual intercourse, it is best for women to begin their screenings and tests at age 21 and follow up every few years so as to understand the history and how often one should get the tests done. It is also equally crucial to select the best hospitals in Bangalore for one's journey in understanding their chance of contracting HPV. Being a stressful one, Trust-in Hospital makes it simple and completely guided with the best oncologists in Bangalore onboard.

Conclusion:

Be responsible and get tested for HPV periodically to win the fight against cervical cancer. Share this guide with your loved ones to spread awareness about the same and help save lives. To know more about cervical cancer and its complications or to get a screening done, visit the best team of oncologists in Bangalore at Trust-in Hospital.

 Author Profile: 

Trust-in Hospital is a major multi-speciality medical hospital in Bangalore. Its mission is to provide high-quality, personalised healthcare to patients. The best and most skilled specialists work at this cutting-edge hospital. It integrates advanced medical technologies and modern infrastructure to provide comprehensive and cost-effective care to both outpatients and inpatients using a multidisciplinary approach.

[healthaura]

"IS A PAP SMEAR(PAP TEST) PAINFUL? UNDERSTANDING THE PROCEDURE AND ITS POTENTIAL DISCOMFORT"

A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is a routine lifesaving screening tool for cervical cancer that many women fear. Dr. George Papanicolaou an American physician developed the Pap smear. Around the world, many women go through the test and It’s only natural to have concerns and worries about whether or not it’s going to be painful, How does it happen, and why is it important ? and that’s…

[cripple-punk-dad]

Here took me literally five minutes. There is no mention of transgender people here, they just decided that cis women who have sex with cis women and cis women who have sex with cis women and cis men should be in the same article because of the overlap of those groups and the overlapping risks there of. I won't deny that there is a lack of research done on sexual health for queer folks but don't blame that on trans people and inclusive terminology, because guess what? most medical studies don't use inclusive terminology in the first place.

Image id: A screenshot of the CDC website that reads "HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, and sexual transmission of HPV likely occurs between WSW (301–303). HPV DNA has been detected through polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based methods from the cervix, vagina, and vulva among 13%–30% of WSW (301,302) and can persist on fomites, including sex toys (304). Among WSW who report no lifetime history of sex with men, 26% had antibodies to HPV-16, and 42% had antibodies to HPV-6 (301). High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) have been detected on Papanicolaou smears (Pap tests) among WSW who reported no previous sex with men (301,302). WSWM are at risk for acquiring HPV" end ID.

Thinking about how hard it was to get accurate sex ed info for lesbians when I first came out and how much harder it is now that lesbian is a meaningless word. I want to know if I only have sex with women (no TIMs) what my actual risk of certain stds, especially hpv, is but there are almost no studies that looks at women who only have sex with women and now I have to use word salad “vulva haver having sexual encounters that don’t involve a penis” or whatever.

[nurseslabs]

Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear, cervical smear) is a safe, noninvasive cytological examination for early detection of cervical cancer. During the 1900s, cervical cancer was one of the leading cause of death among women. It was until the year 1928, where a greek physician George Nicholas Papanicolaou was able to discover the difference between normal and malignant cervical cells by viewing the samples microscopically, hence Pap smear was invented.

For women ages 30 and above, this procedure can be done in conjunction with a test on Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease and primary causative agent for cervical cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends a Pap smear at least once every three years for women ages 21 to 29 who are not in a high-risk category and who have had negative results and who have had negative results from three previous Pap tests. While a Pap test and an HPV test is recommended every five years for women ages 30 to 65 years old. If a Pap smear is positive or suggests malignancy, a cervical biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.

Nurses play an important role in promoting public health awareness to inform, encourage and motivate the public in considering health screening such as pap smear. This pap smear study guide can help nurses understand their tasks and responsibilities during the procedure.

[toc]

Indications of Pap Smear

Pap smear is indicated for the following reasons:

Identify the presence of sexually transmitted disease such as human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, chlamydia, cytomegalovirus, Actinomyces spp., Trichomonas vaginalis, and Candida spp.

Detect primary and metastatic neoplasms

Evaluate abnormal cervical changes (cervical dysplasia)

Detect condyloma, vaginal adenosis, and endometriosis

Assess hormonal function

Evaluate the patient’s response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Interfering Factors

These are factors or conditions that may alter the outcome of the study

Delay in fixing a specimen, allows the cells to dry therefore destroying the effectiveness of the stain and makes cytologic interpretation difficult

Improper collection site may cause rejection of the specimen. Samples for hormonal evaluation are taken from the vagina while samples for cancer screening are obtained from the vaginal fornix

Use of lubricating jelly on the speculum that may affect the viability of some organisms

Specimen collection during normal menstruation since blood can contaminate the sample

Douching, using tampons, or having sexual intercourse within 24 hours before the exam can wash away cellular deposits

Existing vaginal infections that may interfere with hormonal cytology

Pap Smear Procedure 

Pap smear is performed by a practitioner and takes approximately about 5 to 10 minutes. The step-by-step procedure is as follows:

The patient is positioned. The client is assisted in a supine, dorsal lithotomy position with feet in stirrups.

A speculum is inserted. The practitioner puts on gloves and inserts an unlubricated plastic or metal speculum into the vagina and is opened gently to spread apart the vagina to access the cervix. The speculum may be moistened with saline solution or warm water to make insertion easier.

Cervical and vaginal specimens collection. After positioning the speculum, specimen from the vagina and cervix are taken. A cytobrush is inserted inside the cervix and rolls it firmly into the endocervical canal. The brush is then rotated one turn and removed. A plastic or wooden spatula is utilized to scrape the outer opening of the cervix and vaginal wall.

Collection technique (Using the conventional collection). The specimen from the brush and spatula is wiped on the slide and fixed immediately by immersing the slide in equal parts of 95% ethanol or by using a spray fixative.

Collection technique (Using the ThinPrep collection). The brush and spatula are immediately immersed in a ThinPrep solution with a swirling motion to release the material. The brush and spatula are then removed from the solution and the bottle lid is replaced and secured.

Label the specimen The slides are properly labeled with the patient’s name, age, initials of the health care provider collecting the specimen, date, and time of collection.

Specimens are sent to the laboratory The specimens are transported to the laboratory for cytologic analysis.

Bimanual examination may follow. After the removal of the speculum, a bimanual examination may be performed wherein the health care provider will insert two fingers of one hand inside the vaginal canal to feel the uterus and ovaries with the other hand on top of the abdomen.

Nursing Responsibility for Pap Smear

The following are the nursing interventions and nursing care considerations for a patient indicated for Pap smear.

Before the procedure

The following are the nursing interventions prior to pap smear:

Secure patient’s consent. The test must be adequately explained and understood by the patient before a written, and informed consent is obtained.

Obtain the patient’s health history. These include parity, date of last menstrual period, surgical status, contraceptive use, history of vaginal bleeding, history of previous Pap smears, and history of radiation or chemotherapy.

Ask lists of the patient’s current medications. If a patient is taking a vaginal antibiotic, the pap smear is delayed for one month after the treatment has been completed.

Explain that Pap smear is painless. The test requires that the cervix may be scraped and may experience minimal discomfort but no pain from the insertion of the speculum.

Avoid interfering factors. Having sexual intercourse within 24 hours, douching within 48 hours, using a tampon, or applying vaginal creams or lotions is avoided before the test since it can wash away cellular deposits and change the ph of the vagina.

Empty the bladder. Pap smear involves the insertion of the speculum into the vagina and could press down the lower abdomen.

After the procedure

The nurse should note the following nursing interventions after pap smear:

Cleanse the perineal area. Secretions or excess lubricant from the vagina are removed and cleansed.

Provide a sanitary pad. Slight spotting may occur after the pap smear.

Provide information about the recommended frequency of screening. The American Cancer Society recommends screening every three years for women aged 21 to 29 years old and co-testing for HPV and cytological screening every five years for women aged 30 to 65 years old.

Answer any questions or fears by the patient or family. Anxiety related with the pending test results may occur. Discussion of the implications of abnormal test results on the patient’s lifestyle may be provided to the patient.

Results

Normal findings in a Pap smear will indicate a negative result which means that no abnormal, malignant cells or atypical cells are found. While a positive result signifies that there are abnormal or unusual cells discovered, it is not synonymous to having cervical cancer.

The Bethesda System (TBS) is the current method for interpreting cervical cytology and it includes the following components.

1. Adequacy of specimen

Satisfactory for evaluation: Describe the presence or absence of endocervical transformation zone component and other quality indicators such as partially obscuring blood, inflammation.

Unsatisfactory for evaluation: Specimen is rejected (specify reason) or the specimen is processed and examined but unsatisfactory for evaluation of epithelial abnormalities (specify reason)

2. Interpretation/result

Negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy

Showing evidence of organism causing infection:

Trichomonas vaginalis; fungal organisms morphologically consistent with Candida spp.; a shift in flora indicative of bacterial vaginosis (coccobacillus); bacteria consistent with Actinomyces spp.; cellular changes consistent with herpes simplex virus.

Other non-neoplastic findings:

Reactive cellular changes related to inflammation (includes repair), radiation, intrauterine device use, atrophy, glandular cell status after hysterectomy.

Epithelial cell abnormalities

Squamous cell abnormalities

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cannot exclude HSIL (ASC-H):

Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) encompassing HPV, mild dysplasia, cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN) grade 1

High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) encompassing moderate and severe dysplasia, CIS/CIN grade 2 and CIN grade 3 with features suspicious for invasion (If invasion is suspected).

Squamous cell carcinoma: indicate the presence of cancerous cells.

Glandular cell

Atypical glandular cells (not otherwise specify)

Atypical glandular cells, favor neoplastic (not otherwise specify)

Endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ

Adenocarcinoma

Others

Endometrial cells (in woman >=40 years of age)

Gallery

Related images to help you understand pap smear better.

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References and Sources

Additional resources and references for the Pap Smear study guide:

Adele Pillitteri. Maternal and Child Health Nursing:Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Anne M. Van Leeuwen, Mickey Lynn Bladh. Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications: Davis’s

Solomon, D., Davey, D., Kurman, R., Moriarty, A., O’connor, D., Prey, M., … & Young, N. (2002). The 2001 Bethesda System: terminology for reporting results of cervical cytology. Jama, 287(16), 2114-2119. [Link]

Suzanne C. Smeltzer. Brunner & Suddarth’s Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Pap Smear Nursing Care Planning and Responsibilities – Diagnostic and Procedure

Pap Smear (Papanicolaou Smear) Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear, cervical smear) is a safe, noninvasive cytological examination for early detection of cervical cancer.

[i-was-today-years-old-when]

i learned that Andromachi Papanicolaou, the wife of the man who invented the Pap smear volunteered to have her cervix sampled every day for 21 years to help with his research. Their findings went on to save the lives of millions of women by preventing the development of cervical cancer through early detection (x)

[aspiradiagnostic]

What exactly is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a test for women that may aid in the detection of cervical cancer. Cells are taken from the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that exits into the vagina, during the procedure. The cells are examined for malignancy or indicators that they may develop into cancer. These are known as precancerous cells. Cervical cancer may be prevented by detecting and treating precancerous cells. The Pap smear is a reliable method of detecting cancer early on, when it is most treatable.

A Pap smear is also known as a Pap test, cervical cytology, Papanicolaou test, Pap smear test, and vaginal smear procedure.

If you are looking for a diagnostic center, Visit Aspira Pathlab & Diagnostics Limited one of the best Diagnostic centre in Mumbai.

[missbaphomet]

Nowhere in this post did I instruct anyone to get an exam annually. In fact all I said is you should see a doctor regularly. I am aware that annual isn't the standard in other countries, in fact I have a poll about it on my blog. I also answered an ask in regards to the same thing. Also I never mentioned mammograms. In fact I don't believe I have ever talked in depth about mammograms, which is abnormal seeing as breast cancer runs in my family, I used to get masses in my breasts when I was younger, AND I've had a bilateral breast reduction. I've also not had a mammogram. How about you pull your head out of your ass and read the actual words on the post.

Pap smears are a preventative measure. The Papanicolaou test is designed to screen for precancerous or cancerous cells so that you can be treated before you get full blown cancer.

Pap smears ARE NOT DIAGNOSTIC. Abnormal results mean MORE TESTS. You cannot definitively declare cancer from a pap smear alone, but a pap smear can tell your doctor if something is starting to go wrong/will go wrong in the near future. Cancer rates and annual vs non-annual pap smears are not correlated BECAUSE PAP SMEARS ARENT DIAGNOSTIC, AND since an abnormal screening gets more tests to definitively say if it's cancer or not, having a pap smear annually vs not annually DOESNT CHANGE DIAGNOSTIC RATES, YOU JUST FIND IT SOONER. Not to mention according to this post as well as the poll I ran on my blog, most people either don't go to the obgyn or only go when something is wrong. As such, some women will get cervical cancer DESPITE NEVER HAVING HAD A PAP SMEAR. This is google tier information babe.

Bad experiences aren't an excuse TO DIE SLOWLY AND PAINFULLY OF PREVENTABLE AND TREATABLE DISEASES. I promise you, lying on your death bed as cancer ravages your body is infinitely worse than "the doctor looked at my genitals for a few minutes >///<". I'll take a Q-tip up the hoo-ha and mild embarrassment over an early grave, thanks.

Bestie if your obgyn is apparently leaving you bleeding then you need to ADVOCATE FOR YOUR FUCKING SELF. Tell them to stop, find a new doctor, fuck, file a complaint, goddamn SAY SOMETHING. If you won't speak up then you are literally the only person to blame. Dying of cancer because you don't want to find a new doctor isn't the revolutionary take you apparently think it is, and in fact it's kind of a brain-dead stupid one.

I'm the one lacking empathy? You're fucking fear mongering about healthcare! I'm advocating people take care of themselves and their health despite discomfort or anxieties surrounding medical treatment (which is extremely common), meanwhile you're telling people to avoid medical care altogether because they *might* (extra emphasis on might) have a bad time. Sis, this mindset kills people. Real actual people die every single day because they refuse to seek out medical care. I've had fucking family members die because they didn't want to seek out medical care. I promise losing a loved one hurts so, so fucking much more than the embarrassment of getting in the stirrups for a few minutes. Grow the fuck up.

Also extremely funny you'd accuse me of joining 'the chorus of "stop whining"' since I am OPENLY AND VERY LOUDLY ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES IN REGARDS TO THEIR HEALTHCARE.

So what if, instead of berating people for being afraid of an invasive, often painful and traumatising procedure you... Listed times when they ARE necessary (spoiler: it's not every year!), talked about how to find a gentle provider, or donated to an organisation that provides free gynaecology to people without insurance?

Babygirl. Sweetie. Bestie. Friend. Honey. Darling.

I HAVE RESOURCES FOR ALL OF THIS

ON MY BLOG

I am a literal sex activist. I'm fighting tooth and goddamn nail to make sure that women get the reproductive care they need and to ensure that they can do so safely. I post sex ed information on my blog extremely frequently. I advocate for people to speak up if they feel they're not being treated properly. I donate to The Yellowhammer Fund, which is a reproductive rights and justice organization servicing the deep south that ALSO provides feminine hygiene products as well as Plan B to anyone who needs it. My fucking kink club has a whole ass cabinet full of pads, tampons, pantyliners, plan B, condoms, the whole shebang just. In a cabinet in the gender neutral bathroom that ANYONE can use. Fuck, if I had a friend that needed Plan B but wasn't a club member, I could deadass just ask someone in leadership to unlock the door for me and I could just grab some, no questions asked.

So maybe learn to read? At like the bare minimum?

Hey uh unrelated but this was found on the blog of someone who reblogged my tesla post, not the trans health one but like. THIS is the kind of shit I'm talking about. I didn't even look for this, it fucking fell into my lap. This is the kind of shit I see that made me feel it was necessary to post the trans health post.

Bitch go to the goddamn doctor!!! Cervical cancer is goddamn dangerous. STIs can be dormant for YEARS and infect every person you have sex with and kill you.

THE USE THE SPECULUM TO BETTER ASSIST IN YOUR CARE, NOT AS SOME SICK PERVERSE PLEASURE.

I am begging on my fucking knees PLEASE SEE A GODDAMN DOCTOR REGULARLY.

I promise you they see enough genitals over the course of the day that yours aren't even a blip on their radar unless something is seriously wrong.

[ihearthisto]

🦖 Dinosmear 🦖

A rare sighting of the rawrsome Papanicolaous Rex!

i♡histo

The cells in this image are the squamous epithelial cells that line the region of the ectocervix the region of the hole (os) in the cervix where it protrudes into the vagina.

Doctors obtain these cells by scraping the cervix. The cells are then smeared onto a slide and stained with the Papanicolaou stain during the pap smear. Cytologists examine the cells for any signs of abnormal morphology that could be an indicator of cervical cancer or other pathology.

Image based on the original by @mik__e [Insta]