Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 41 No. 9. April 24 1978

Student Health

Student Health

For Females only the Ins and Outs of Pap Smears

The Pap smear or cervical cancer test is named after Dr. George Papanicolaou. A small amount of cellular material is scraped from the mouth of the cervix using a small wooden spatula. The material is thinly spread onto a glass slide, fixed in an alcohol solution and sent to the laboratory for staining. It is examined by a cytologist for any abnormal precancerous cells.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the subject and there has been wide variations in the recommendations for screening programmes.

Is cervical cytology worthwhile? When should should a woman begin regular cervical cancer screening? How often should smears be taken? At what age can they be stopped?

A recent comprehensive report, the Walton report was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 1976. The Health Department considers that this report makes realistic recommendations which are applicable to New Zealand.

Drawing of a man in bed

Who gets Cancer of the Cervix? High Risk Categories:

1) While all sexually active women are at risk of developing squamous carcinoma of the cervix, those women who become sexually active at an early age, expecially with multiple partners are particularly at risk.
2) Women who have been infected with herpes virus are also at high risk.

Low Risk Categories:

1) Women who have never been sexually active.
2) Women who have reached the age of 60 without abnormality appearing in routine smears.

When to Start

The first smear is taken when a woman presents for any of the following:
1) Contraceptive advice.
2) Treatment of a vaginal discharge.
3) Treatment of a pelvic infection.
4) Investigation for venereal disease
5) Pregnancy.

How Often?

For the high risk categories — annual smears are recommended. For the majority of women two smears are recommended within the first year then, provided these are both normal, further smears should be repeated —

at 3 yearly intervals until 35 years of age then at 5 yearly intervals until 60 years of age.

Nurses Clinics.

The first smear should be taken by a doctor when a pelvic examination is carried out.

Thereafter routine smeats can be done (painlessly) at the Student Health Service by the nurses. Every Wednesday afternoon there is a special clinic and no appointment is necessary.

Remember, smears are not taken during menstration.

Don't put off your Pap smear.

Footnote

We will soon be giving the flu vaccine to those who suffer from chronic chest condition e.g. Bronchitis, Asthma or Heart condition. If you fall into this category please notify us at the student health service now.