In Guyana, the incidence of cervical and other cancers are constantly on the rise. This may be due in part to increasing adaptation of a Northern lifestyle as well as engaging in unhealthy practices, just to name a few. In observance of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Guyana Cancer Foundation is offering free pap smears for 100 underprivileged and under-insured women. Here’s what you should know about the procedure:
A Pap smear, sometimes just called a Pap test is a procedure used to screen for cervical cancer. It checks for the presence of precancerous as well as cancerous cells on the cervix. During the procedure, cells from your cervix are gently scraped away and then examined for abnormal growth.
The reasons for getting a Pap smear could not be overstated. However, one of the major concerns that makes getting a Pap smear necessary is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that causes warts. There are over 100 different types of HPV, of those 40 are sexually transmitted. The primary causes of cervical cancer are HPV types 16 and 18. Even though a Pap smear doesn’t test for HPV, it identifies cellular changes caused by the virus. By detecting cervical cancer cells early with a Pap smear, treatment can start before it spreads and becomes a bigger problem.
You can get HPV from sex with men or women. All sexually active women are at risk for contracting HPV and should get a Pap smear at least every three years.
The test doesn’t detect other sexually transmitted diseases. It can occasionally detect cell growth that indicates other cancers, but it shouldn’t be relied on for that purpose.
Upon reaching age 21, it is recommended that women start getting regular Pap smears, especially those who are HIV positive or immuno-compromised in some other way. It is also recommended that these tests be donne once every five years.
For more information on Pap smears, and where and how to sign up for the free Pap smears being offered by the Guyana Cancer Foundation, contact Bibi Hassan on 618-2085 or Farah Yusuf on 628-1378.
