What is a Pap Smear?
The importance of having a regular pap smear (at least every 3-5 years) cannot be stressed enough. Cervical cancer is the most common form of genital malignancy in Africa. It is mostly found in women between the ages of 25 and 45 and often presents with abnormal genital bleeding. A pap smear will pick up cellular abnormalities which can indicate malignancy.
Cancer of the cervix is a very common cancer amongst women. If it is diagnosed at an early stage, it is completely curable. The test used to screen for cancer of the cervix is called a pap smear.
Who should have a pap smear?
All women who are sexually active should have a regular pap smear. Most women will be exposed to HPV in the early years after becoming sexually active. It is therefore important for women to have a pap smear from a young age and not to think that is only a test for older women.