WHAT IS A PAP TEST?
A Pap test is the test of a sample of cells taken from a
woman's cervix.
HOW IS A PAP TEST PERFORMED?
After the woman has lied in a Gynecological
Examination position, a doctor uses a device called a
speculum to widen the opening of the vagina, so that
the cervix - which is located at the end of the vagina can be examined.
A cell sample is then collected from the cervix. The
cells are placed on a glass slide and taken to the
Cytology Laboratory of the ASL Roma C (Local
Healthcare Unit - Rome C area).
All the devices used for collection are disposable.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A
PAP TEST AND A SMEAR TEST?
There are two types of vaginal smear:
1. the Pap test is used to detect potential signs
of cancer or lesions of the cervix that may
lead to cancer; it is not used to detect other
gynecological diseases
2. the vaginal smear is a bacterioscopic or
bacteriological analysis method, used to
detect the causes of inflammation and to
select the most appropriate therapy.
WHO CAN DO THE PAP TEST?
The ASL Roma C has provided cervical cancer
screening for all women aged between 25 and 64 with
permanent residence in the following Municipi
(Administrative Units): Roma 5 (previously Roma 6),
Roma 7 (previously Roma 9), Roma 8 (previously
Roma 11), Roma 9 (previously Roma 12). Under this
programme, a free Pap test may be performed every 3
years.
The free screening programme includes also women
living in the area covered by the ASL Roma C
services, including foreign women without a
permanent residence permit.
WHERE CAN I DO THE PAP TEST?
The test is performed in the Consultori Familiari
(Family Counselling Centres) and the Poliambulatori
(Medical Centres) of ASL Roma C.
All interested women receive a letter indicating the
day, time, and place of the test.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL RESULTS OF
THE PAP TEST?
A) NORMALE (NORMAL): if no alteration is
found, the woman will be sent the results by letter.
B) INADEGUATO(INADEQUATE): sometimes,
even if cells have been accurately collected, the Pap
test must be repeated. It is necessary to repeat the Pap
test when:
the number of collected cells is not sufficient
an inflammation prevents the correct
examining of the glass slide.
In both cases, all information regarding repetition of
the Pap test can be found in the letter.
C) ANORMALE (ABNORMAL): if cell alterations
are found, the interested woman will be called by
telephone in order to perform further free testing,
such as colposcopy and HPV (Human Papilloma
Virus) testing.
WHAT FURTHER TESTING IS PERFORMED
AFTER AN ABNORMAL PAP TEST?
Colposcopy is a simple, painless medical
diagnostic procedure allowing to examine an
illuminated, magnified view of the cervix using a
microscope. The enlarged view of the areas
allows to distinguish normal from abnormally
appearing cervical areas and collect a small
sample of tissue
(biopsy)
for
further
pathological examination and final diagnosis.
The HPV test is a test allowing to detect the
presence of the HPV virus on the cervix. The
HPV test procedure is similar to the Pap test
procedure.
At the moment, the HPV test is used under
the Screening Programme implemented by the
ASL Roma C as further testing in case the Pap
test leads to a ASC-US-type result (cell alteration
often associated to HPV inflection) and as a
check-up for women who have been subjected
to cervical conization or whose Pap test showed
signs of alteration.
ARE
THERE
LIMITATIONS
TO
PERFORMANCE OF PAP TEST?
As all diagnostic testing, the Pap test has some
limitations. For example:
in some cases, the result may lead doctors to
suspect lesions but, during further testing, the
presence of lesions is excluded
in other very rare cases, although the Pap test
result is normal, lesions develop all the same.
However, these lesions are generally due to
some kinds of cancer whose characteristics
cannot be detected via a pap test.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
There are several things you can do to help achieve a
Pap test result which is as accurate as possible. These
include avoidance of sexual intercourse, douching,
and vaginal creams for 3 days before the test.
Moreover, the Pap test should not be carried out
during menstruation, nor in the 3 days preceding or
following menstruation.
Also women who have had a partial hysterectomy
(removal of the uterus) with the cervix remaining
should perform routine Pap tests
IS THE PAP TEST SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT
CERVICAL CANCER?
Yes. The Pap test is currently the most widely used
screening test. Studies on the possibility to use the
HPV test instead of the Pap test are being carried out.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE A PAP TEST IF I AM
FEELING GOOD?
A Pap test can detect potentially cancerous lesions
and processes in the cervix at an early stage, even if
such processes and lesions are symptomless.
This allows to perform simple treatment that does not
require hospitalization and leads to complete healing.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE A PAP TEST EVERY
THREE YEARS?
The European Guidelines and the National Oncologic
Committee recommend to have a Pap test every three
years.
When strict quality control standards are
implemented during cell collection and glass slide
examination - as is the case with the organised
screening programme - there is no need to carry out
the test more frequently.
CYTOLOGICAL SCREENING CENTRES
Distretto 6 – Municipio Roma V
Consultorio Familiare Via Casilina, 711
Consultorio Familiare Via H. Spencer, 282
Consultorio Familiare P.zza dei Condottieri, 34
Poliambulatorio S. Caterina della Rosa,
Via N. Forteguerri, 4
Distretto 9 – Municipio Roma VII
Consultorio Familiare Via Denina, 7
Consultorio Familiare Via Monza, 2
Consultorio Familiare Via Iberia, 73
PAP TEST
prevention
Distretto 11 – Municipio Roma VIII
Consultorio Familiare Via dei Lincei, 93
Consultorio Familiare Largo Sette Chiese, 25
Poliambulatorio Via Malfante, 35
Distretto 12 – Municipio Roma IX
Consultorio Familiare Via Stame, 162
Consultorio Familiare Via I. Silone, 100
Poliambulatorio Via C. Sabatini snc
TO REGISTER FOR A PAP TEST (in case the
letter has not been received) OR FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATIONS ON
THE
CYTOLOGICAL
SCREENING
PROGRAMME, PLEASE CALL
800405051
By the Oncological Screening UOC (Complex
Operational Unit)
Via Monza 2, Roma tel.0651006600 fax 0651006630
e.mail: [email protected]
website:www.aslrmc.it>attività sanitarie>screening oncologici
edited in May 2013
...under
a lucky star