Pap Smear Cervical Cancer Screening with the Mobile Prevention Center
Wellness Exams
A wellness exam is a comprehensive checkup conducted by a nurse practitioner. Your provider will check your vital signs, review your health history, conduct a physical assessment, examine your breasts and may perform a Pap smear to test for cervical cancer. A test for the human papillomavirus (HPV) may also be done.
Click here to see our calendar. Request an appointment on the Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Center.What Is a Pap Smear?
The Pap smear test is to detect precancerous cells in the cervix. A Pap smear involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix. The cells are evaluated in a lab, where abnormal cervix cells can be detected before cervical cancer develops. If you have an abnormal Pap smear result, you may need additional testing to confirm or rule out the presence of abnormal cells or cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
Under age 21 – No screening recommended
Ages 21 to 29 – Pap smear every three years
Ages 30 to 64 – Pap smear with HPV screening every five years, or Pap smear alone every three years
Over age 65 – No screening recommended
After hysterectomy – No screening recommended
These recommendations are for women with low risk of cervical cancer and with a history of negative screenings. If you have questions regarding screening recommendations, talk with your health care provider.
Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Smoking
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Using birth control longer than five years
- Giving birth to three or more children
- Having several sexual partners
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Cancer
Symptoms of cervical cancer often do not appear until the disease has progressed, which is why early screening and detection is so important. These symptoms may include abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex or bleeding after menopause; abnormal vaginal discharge; or pain during intercourse. If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your health care provider.
What is HPV?
HPV is a group of more than 150 viruses. It is spread by sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection and often has no signs or symptoms. Around 79 million people in the U.S. are infected with HPV.
Certain types of HPV — called low-risk — can cause genital warts in both men and women. High-risk types of HPV can lead to cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, mouth and throat. In some people, HPV doesn’t cause any issues, and the body rids itself of the virus. In others, the infection becomes chronic. There is no cure for HPV infection.
How Do I Protect Myself From HPV?
- Get vaccinated. The two-dose HPV vaccine is available for girls and boys starting around age 11. Talk to your child’s pediatrician to get more information.
- Get screened for cervical cancer.
- If you are sexually active, use condoms to prevent the spread of HPV.
Why Have a Primary Care Provider
It is important to have a relationship with a primary care provider to oversee your health and keep you on track with staying healthy. If you do not have a primary care provider, ask the staff on the mobile prevention center or call (502) 629-1234.
After Your Mobile Prevention Center Visit
You will receive a letter and/or MyNortonChart notification about your Pap and/or HPV test results. If your test results are normal, a time for your next screening will be suggested. Wellness exams usually are scheduled annually, with appropriate Pap and/or HPV testing as indicated.
What Is an Abnormal Result?
If you receive a call or a letter stating your Pap or HPV test is abnormal, don’t panic! This does not mean that you have cancer. It does mean that you will need further follow-up. We will talk with you about the result and schedule an appointment for further evaluation.
Examen Anual Preventivo
Un examen anual preventivo es una evaluación general realizada por una enfermera registrada de práctica avanzada. Su proveedor de salud va a evaluar sus signos vitales, su historial clínico, hará una evaluación física, va a examinar sus senos y cuando lo requiera hará una Prueba Citológica o Papanicolaou. Una prueba para el Virus del papiloma humano también podría practicársele.
Haz click aquí para ver el calendario. Haz click aquí para pedir una cita en la Norton Healthcare Unidad Móvil de Prevención.¿Qué es una prueba citológica/Papanicolaou?
Esta prueba es para detectar células pre-cancerosas en el cuello uterino. Un prueba citológica/ Papanicolaou consiste en tomar una muestra de la células del cuello uterino. Las células van a ser evaluadas en un laboratorio, donde se pude detectar antes de que se desarrolle en cáncer del cuello uterino. Si los resultados de su prueba citológica/Papanicolaou no son normales, es posible que tenga que realizarse pruebas adicionales para confirmar o descartar la presencia de células no normales o de cáncer del cuello uterino.
Guía para los exámenes de detección del cáncer del cuello uterino
- Menores de 21 años: no se recomienda realizar exámenes de detección
- Entre 21 y 29 años: prueba citológica/ Papanicolau cada tres años
- Entre 30 y 64 años: prueba citológica/ Papanicolau con examen de detección del VPH cada cinco años o solamente la prueba citológica/Papanicolau cada tres años
- Mayores de 65 años: no se recomienda realizar exámenes de detección
- Después de una histerectomía: no se recomienda realizar exámenes de detección
Estas recomendaciones son para mujeres con bajo riesgo de tener cáncer del cuello uterino y con antecedentes de resultados negativos en los exámenes de detección. Si tiene preguntas con respecto a las recomendaciones de los exámenes de detección, hable con su proveedor de atención médica.
Factores de riesgo del cáncer del cuello uterino
- Virus del papiloma humano (VPH)
- Fumar
- Virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH)
- Usar anticonceptivos durante más de cinco años
- Dar a luz a tres o más niños
- Tener varias parejas sexuales
Señales y síntomas del cáncer del cuello uterino
Los síntomas del cáncer del cuello uterino a menudo no aparecen hasta que haya avanzado la enfermedad; por eso es tan importante realizarse exámenes de detección. Estos síntomas pueden incluir sangrado vaginal no normal, como sangrado después de tener relaciones sexuales o de la menopausia; secreciones vaginales no normales; o dolor durante las relaciones sexuales. Si usted tiene cualquiera de estos síntomas consulte con su doctor.
¿Qué es el VPH?
El VPH es un grupo de más de 150 virus. Se contagia mediante el contacto sexual, lo que incluye el sexo vaginal, anal y oral. Es la infección de transmisión sexual más frecuente y, a menudo, no presenta signos ni síntomas. Alrededor de 79 millones de personas en los Estados Unidos están infectados con el VPH.
Ciertos tipos de VPH, que se denominan “de bajo riesgo,” pueden causar verrugas genitales tanto en los hombres como en las mujeres. Los tipos de VPH de alto riesgo pueden causar cáncer del cuello uterino, pene, ano, boca y garganta. En algunas personas, el VPH no causa ningún problema, y el cuerpo lo elimina solo. En otras, la infección se vuelve crónica. No existe una cura para la infección por el VPH.
¿Cómo me protejo contra el VPH?
- La vacuna de dos dosis contra el VPH está disponible para niñas y niños a partir de los 11 años, aproximadamente. Hable con el medico de sus niños para más información.
- Hágase su prueba citológica/Papanicolaou.
- Si es sexualmente activa, utilice condones para prevenir el contagio del VPH.
¿Porque necesito un doctor primario?
Es importante mantear una relación con un doctor primario. Él o ella va a supervisar su salud y le guiará por la vía correcta para mantearse saludable. Si usted no tiene un proveedor de salud, pregunte al personal de la unidad móvil o llame al (502) 629-1234.
Después de su visita a la unidad móvil
Usted recibirá una carta y/o una notificación de MyNortonChart con los resultados de su prueba citológica/Papanicolaou. Si sus resultados son normales, se le sugiere la fecha recomendada para regresar. Normalmente se recomienda hacerse un examen preventivo anualmente, puede incluir la prueba citológica/Papanicolaou si así lo requiere.
¿Qué es un resultado No Normal?
Primero, no se asuste si recibe una carta o llamada diciendo que su prueba citológica/ Papanicolaou no es normal. Esto no significa que usted tiene cáncer.
Lo que si significa es que hay algo que requiere exámenes de seguimiento. Hablamos con usted y le programamos una cita para realizar más pruebas.
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