The Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital (PGH) recently announced a free pap smear screening that will be going down at the facility throughout the month of March.

Mtaa Wangu had a chat with Consultant Obstetrician at Egerton University and PGH Dr. Justus Nondi to understand what a Pap smear procedure is and why it is important.

What is a pap smear?

It is a simple two to three-minute procedure used to screen for cervical cancer. The doctor uses a small brush to scrape through the cervix to collect cells and later examine if the cells are normal or abnormal.

What happens if abnormal cells are detected?

When abnormal cells are detected, it could be a sign that one could be having cancerous cells that need to be eliminated. A test is then run to establish if the cells are cancerous. If a patient is found to have cervical cancer, they are taken through the different treatment options available depending on how far the cancer has spread.

Is the procedure uncomfortable?
The test is slightly uncomfortable, since it is a process that requires invasion of two instruments; speculum and brush into the cervix.

Dr. Justus Nondi displays a speculum used to conduct a Pap smear exam.

Photo credit: WINNIE KIMANI/MTAA WANGU

Can a patient request for a female doctor to do the procedure?

Most patients, have no preference on whether it’s a female or male medical attendant carrying out the procedure. However, a patient is at liberty to request that a female medical practitioner conducts it. In most cases if it’s a male doctor, he invites a female nurse to come along so that the patient feels more at ease.

Can pregnant women undergo a pap smear exam?
Since cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers affecting women, no woman should be exempted apart from a pregnant woman to avoid interfering with the cervix, which is the door of the womb.

How often should women go through the pap smear procedure?

It is advised that one undergoes the procedure once in three years. However, if one is above 40 years, have HIV/AIDS or have an abnormal cell then they are required to take the test annually.

Dr. Nondi notes that the purpose of the Pap Smear campaign is to remind women the importance of being in control of one’s reproductive health and possibly detecting cervical cancer before it is too late.

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Pap smear: How this simple procedure helps detect cervical cancer

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Winnie Kimani