How to get a Pap Test in Detroit?
Affordable Pap Tests Available at Plum Health
Ladies - it’s time that we talk about Women’s Health! An important aspect of routine follow-up with your primary care physician is to discuss screening tests for preventable diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Additionally, it is important to talk to your doctor about cancer screening tests that may be appropriate for you such as for screening for breast, colon, and cervical cancer.
Many of us know that mammograms are great screening tests to look for breast cancer --Did you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month? Additionally, a colonoscopy is used (a procedure that uses a camera to look in your colon) for colon cancer screening. However, not as many of us know why our doctors stress the importance of cervical cancer screening and what a pap smear is.
Below we will explain the basics: What is a cervix? What causes cervical cancer? What is HPV? What is a Pap test? When should I get one?
What is a cervix?
The cervix is a muscle at the lowest part of the uterus. It meets with the deepest part of the vaginal canal. There is also a small opening in the center of the cervix called the cervical canal that connects the vagina and the uterus. This opening can open and close at different times --- It opens slightly during your period and fully during childbirth. But it also protects against infections from entering into the uterus. Amazing right?
Cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Unfortunately, this opening of the cervix can become infected by a very common virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). In most cases, the infection will clear on its own, however if the infection does not clear on its own, it can pose a risk of developing cervical cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),12,845 new cervical cancer cases were diagnosed in 2015 and 4,175 deaths were caused by cervical cancer in 2015.
More about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and how is it transmitted?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV infections are so common that nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. Nearly 80 million Americans are currently infected with some type of HPV. About 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year.
HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can also get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. There are many types or strains of this virus. Some of the strains can cause warts on the hands and feet and others can infect tissues of the genital region which can cause warts in that region as well BUT can also be associated with some cancers of genital region (i.e. vagina, penis, and anus) and of the head and neck.
What has been done to help prevent HPV infections?
At this time, the CDC recommends that all boys and girls start vaccination against HPV infection that can be started as early as age 9 through 26 years of age. As of October 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the vaccination for men and women through 45 years of age with Gardasil 9 (common name brand for one of the vaccines). For the HPV vaccine to be most effective, the series should be given prior to exposure to HPV.
Dr. Paul Thomas and Dr. Raquel Orlich of Plum Health DPC discuss cervical cancer screening at their office in Detroit, Michigan.
How can your doctor screen for cancer and precancers of the cervix?
If you are between the ages of 21 and 65 years of age, your doctor will start screening you for cervical cancer. The screening test is called the Papanicolaou test aka the “Pap test or Pap smear”. During a Pap smear, your doctor will need to visualize your cervix with a small utensil called a vaginal speculum. With a small brush, he or she will gently scrape the cervix to collect a sample of the cells in the opening of the cervix. This procedure takes less than 5 minutes and most women report it to be painless or may have minimal discomfort. The sample is then sent to the lab for review.
According to the CDC, decline in cervical cancer cases and deaths in the past 40 years correlated with Pap testing and detection and treatment of cervical precancerous lesions. The majority of cervical cancers (50% to 64%) occur in women who were rarely or never screened.
The screening guidelines recommend that women between the ages of 21 and 29 years old should have routine screening every 3 years.
The screening guidelines recommend that women between the ages of 30 and 65 year old have two options for routine screening --
Have a Pap test every 3 years or
Have a Pap test with an HPV test every 5 years.
*However, if your results are abnormal, you will discuss with your doctor when you should return for a follow-up Pap test or need additional testing.
Luckily, cervical cancers usually take years to develop. If you’re getting screened regularly (every 3 or 5 years), you are extremely unlikely to develop cervical cancer. Let’s take control of our feminine health!
You can visit the CDC for more information on the Pap test and HPV
What does the Pap test NOT test for?
The Pap test does not test for sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes simplex, syphilis, or HIV.
How much does it cost to have a Pap test?
Depending on your insurance plan, Pap testing may be covered as a preventive service. If you are underinsured or uninsured, the test may be costly.
If you are a member of Plum Health DPC, we are able to provide affordable prices for many screening tests including Pap tests. The price of our Pap test is $30 to $60
How can I sign up for an appointment for a pap smear?
To make an appointment with Dr. Raquel or Dr. Paul, head over to our scheduling link and select her or him as your doctor. After you submit the information, Dr. Raquel will reach out and offer appointment times.
Thank you for reading and have a great day,
-Dr. Paul Thomas and Dr. Raquel Orlich with Plum Health DPC