Pap Smear

One of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to get regular Pap smears. These tests are a standard screening offered by Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz MD, PA, and his experienced team in Miami and Hialeah, HCA Florida Kendall Regional Hospital. If you’re due for a Pap smear or have had abnormal results, call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.

When should I get a Pap smear?

All women should start getting Pap smears at age 21 and every three years until about age 65. 

If you regularly get tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) and have had no abnormal Pap smear results, the team suggests testing every five years. Certain strains of HPV cause cancerous changes in your cervical cells. 

When you visit Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz MD, PA, and his team about Pap smears, they can recommend a testing schedule that suits your health and lifestyle. 

What do abnormal Pap smear results mean?

If your Pap smear results come back abnormal, it’s understandably distressing. However, an abnormal Pap smear result may not be an indication of cervical cancer.

Many factors could cause this result, including:

• Normal inflammation
• Yeast infection
• Herpes
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Having intercourse close to the time of your test can cause abnormal results. On the other hand, abnormal test results might also be an indication of precancerous cells. 

What happens if I have an abnormal Pap smear?

If you have abnormal results, the team may recommend you have another Pap test in a few weeks. Often the abnormal cells disappear on their own.

Additional diagnostic testing may be necessary to understand the cause of your abnormal results. One type of screening is a colposcopy. This test uses a specialized magnifying lens to better examine cervical cells. During this procedure, the team may perform a biopsy to remove a sample of cervical tissue for more in-depth evaluation.

What treatments are available for precancerous or cancerous cervical cells?

After further testing, Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz MD, PA, and his team can determine if you have precancerous or cancerous cervical cells. 

The team may suggest cryotherapy to treat precancerous cells. Sometimes freezing abnormal tissue is enough to destroy the cells.

Or, they may recommend a LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure). With this procedure, a wire loop is heated by an electrical current to remove problematic cells and tissue from the cervix. The team applies a numbing cream prior so you don’t feel any pain during treatment.

If you need a Pap smear or follow-up testing, call Carlos Rodriguez Ortiz MD, PA, or schedule an appointment online at the office nearest you today.