PAP SMEAR DUBAI | 11 June 2022
Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer.
Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called “high risk” types of HPV. If these types of HPV are found during screening (an HPV positive result), the sample of cells is then checked for abnormal changes. If abnormal cells are not treated, they may turn into cervical cancer. Some types of HPV (called “high risk” types) can cause cervical cancer. In most cases your body will get rid of HPV without it causing any problems. But sometimes HPV can stay in your body for a long time.
If high risk types of HPV stay in your body, they can cause changes to the cells in your cervix. These changes may become cervical cancer if not treated. If you do not have a high risk type of HPV it is very unlikely you will get cervical cancer, even if you have had abnormal cell changes in your cervix before.
During cervical screening a small sample of cells is taken from your cervix for testing. The test itself should take less than 5 minutes. The whole appointment should take about 10 minutes.
If you’re worried about cervical screening, there are things you can try that might make the test easier for you:
Do
– wear something you can leave on during the test, like a skirt or long jumper
– bring someone with you for support
– try breathing exercises to help you relax
Don’t
– do not feel pressured to keep going – you can ask to stop the test at any time
– try not to be afraid or embarrassed to talk – telling Dr Karin Vela how you feel will help her understand what kind of support you might need