Pap Smear Specialist

What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a routine screening to look for early signs of cervical cancer. Dr. Braswell provides this service during your well-woman visit.

If you’re between the ages of 21-65, medical guidelines suggest getting a Pap smear at least once every three years. Depending on your health history and other factors, Dr. Braswell may suggest having an annual Pap smear.

What happens during a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a quick process at the office of Precious L. Braswell, MD, OB/GYN, LLC. Dr. Braswell asks you to undress from the waist down and recline on an exam table. 

She gently inserts a speculum and takes a swab of cells from inside your vagina and cervix, then sends your sample to a lab for testing. 

Your test also may look for signs of human papillomavirus (HPV) at the same time. HPV, an extremely common sexually transmitted disease, may cause cancer in the cervix, vulva, and vagina, among other areas.

What if my Pap smear is abnormal?

Try not to worry. In most cases, an abnormal test result is due to cells called atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). Getting ASC-US results doesn't mean you have cancer.

Even if you have abnormal results, rest assured that changes in your cervical cells may take between three and seven years to turn into cancer. 

Having a Pap smear performed regularly at the office of Precious L. Braswell, MD, OB/GYN, LLC, safeguards your health by detecting these changes before they turn into cancer. 

What else causes an abnormal Pap smear?

Abnormal test results may be due to:

• HPV
• Recent sexual activity
• Inflammation
• Infection

Certain sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes and trichomoniasis, also may cause abnormal Pap results.

Do I need treatment after an abnormal Pap smear?

Dr. Braswell gathers more information to evaluate your condition after an abnormal Pap result. If your test showed mild changes, she usually suggests a repeat Pap smear.

In other cases, she may recommend a colposcopy, a quick process where Dr. Braswell examines your cervix with a magnifying device. 

During this procedure, she also may take samples of any abnormal cells she sees. Dr. Braswell then sends the cell sample to a lab for analysis. 

If it’s time for your Pap smear, rely on the expertise of Dr. Braswell, a board-certified gynecologist. Call the office of Precious L. Braswell, MD, OB/GYN, LLC, today to make your appointment or book your visit online.