Pap Smear Risks - What You Need to Know

What Are the Risks Associated with Pap Smears? 

A Pap smear is a critical screening tool for detecting cervical cancer and precancerous changes caused by high-risk HPV infections. While the procedure is generally safe and complications are rare, understanding potential risks is essential for informed decision-making. By recognising these risks and adhering to screening guidelines, individuals can balance early detection benefits with informed awareness of potential outcomes.

Risk Factors During Pap Smear Test

There are usually no significant risks associated with a Pap smear procedure, and it is considered a safe test. 

However, under certain circumstances, there are minor risks:

• Minor Bleeding: Patients have experienced minor bleeding or slight spotting after undergoing the screening test. It happens if the cervix gets disrupted due to a smear test. However, such spotting or bleeding does not last for more than one or two days.
• Discomfort: The test might cause discomfort or cramping to women during or post-procedure. However, this discomfort is temporary and often subsides soon after the test ends.
• Infection: There is a slight probability of catching an infection from a Pap smear test. Therefore, it is essential to obtain all information about the technician and the place where the test will be conducted. Proper technicians and a sterile environment significantly reduce the risk of getting an infection.
• False-positive Result: It is a result that indicates the presence of abnormal cells that do not exhibit precancerous or cancerous properties. This makes the person anxious and leads to a financial burden due to additional smear tests.

Ways to Minimise Risk During the Smear Test

There are certain activities that you have to avoid to ensure that the Pap smear test experience is seamless:

• Intercourse: Avoid engaging in sexual intercourse 24 hours before taking the test.
• Douching: It can wash away or conceal cells that appear to be abnormal. Therefore, avoid douching 48 hours before the procedure.
• Using Vaginal Products: Avoid using any sanitary pads, vaginal wash, tampons or suppositories at least 48 hours before taking the test.

A pap smear test is instrumental for the proper detection and identification of precancerous and cancerous cells in the cervix. This test is helpful because it detects abnormal cells in early stages, which is substantial in curbing the risk.

Why Some Women Need More Frequent Pap Smear Tests: Understanding Risk Factors 

Certain conditions require some women to undergo smear tests more frequently than others. This is due to their exposure to higher risk factors like:

• HIV Infection: HIV-positive women are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. Therefore, they need to undergo this test more frequently than others.
• Having Weak Immunity: The immune system of an individual often gets compromised under organ transplants, chemotherapy, or chronic steroids. Such women are at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer due to weak immunity.
• Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES): Women whose mothers were on DES during pregnancy must undergo screening more frequently to detect the risk at an early stage.
• Record of Precancerous Lesions or Cervical Cancer: If there is a history of cancerous lesions or even cervical cancer, regular follow-up becomes necessary.