Pap Test (Pap Smear) and HPV Testing for Cervical Cancer

Two tests are extremely important for detecting cervical cancer.

• A Pap test (formerly called a Pap smear) gathers cells from the cervix and tests them for cervical cancer. This test identifies abnormal cervical cells that signal potential cancer or precancer (cells that could lead to cancer if not treated). The earlier cervical cancer is detected, the greater the chance it can be cured.
• The human papillomavirus (HPV) test looks for types of HPV that are most likely to cause cancer. It’s estimated that nine of every 10 cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.

Self-collection for HPV testing

The women’s health experts at LVHN provide routine Pap tests and appointments for HPV testing with Copan’s Self Vaginal FLOQSwabs®. This is a new product that lets you collect a sample for HPV testing yourself. Because the FDA has approved FLOQSwabs for use strictly in health care settings, you still must make an appointment to conduct the test at your clinician’s office. Talk with your clinician to decide whether specimen self-collection is right for you.

Do I need a Pap test and an HPV test?

The answer is: It depends. Understanding that it takes years for cervical cancer to develop, health experts have updated screening guidelines. Recommendations are categorized by your age:

• Women 21 to 29: Pap test every three years (the Pap test is preferred to the HPV test in this age group)
• Women 30-65, you have three choices:
  • Pap test and HPV test every five years
  • Pap test alone every three years
  • HPV test alone every five years
• Women after 65: Stop cervical cancer screenings if you never had abnormal results, cervical cancer or have had three negative tests in a row.

Specialized care for abnormal results

Your OB-GYN will tell you specifically how often you should get a Pap test or HPV test – and guide you through next steps if results are abnormal. In most cases, an abnormal Pap test does not mean you have cancer.

If a Pap test detects abnormal cells, your clinician may recommend further testing to learn more about the cause of this change in cells. Likewise, your clinician will recommend follow-up steps you need to take if you have a positive HPV test result.

Further testing may include:

• Colposcopy: A doctor uses special instruments to closely examine vaginal and cervical tissue.
• Biopsy: A doctor removes a small sample of cervical tissue for closer analysis in a lab.

Should your test results require specialized care, you’ll be in good hands. Our team of women’s health experts can confidently treat both routine and complex conditions detected by a Pap test or HPV test, with excellent results.