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Call Us At (210) 858-1101
Pap Smear
Prevent Cervical Cancer
The pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. Your provider collects cells from the cervix which are then reviewed by a pathologist for evidence of abnormal cells.
The pap smear is an ideal screening test because cervical cancer usually takes several years to develop so pap smears allow us to diagnose the pre-cancerous changes so we can intervene before they develop into cancer.
What causes abnormal paps?
The most common abnormal pap results that we see are ASCUS and LSIL. The majority of abnormal paps are caused by an infection with a virus known as the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. By age 50, over 80% of women will have been infected with HPV. The majority of people do not have any symptoms of the infection and will clear the infection on their own.
There are over 100 strains of HPV and over 30 of them are involved with genital infections. The different strains are categorized into “low risk” and “high risk” groups. High risk strains can cause abnormal pap smears and can lead to cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus or penis. Low risk strains can cause mildly abnormal changes in pap smears and may also cause genital warts.
How do we manage abnormal paps?
Once you have an abnormal result on your pap smear, your doctor may recommend you undergo colposcopy. Colposcopy is a procedure done in the office during which your doctor will look carefully at your cervix with a colposcope (a kind of microscope for the cervix). If any abnormal cells are seen, biopsies will be taken. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes and does not require anesthesia. You may want to take 600-800 mg of ibuprofen before the procedure to help with cramping from the biopsy.
If the biopsy shows evidence of dysplasia (abnormal cells), management may include simply repeating your pap in 6 months, cryotherapy (freezing of the abnormal cells on the cervix) or removal of the affected part of the cervix (a procedure called a LEEP or a cone). Your doctor will tell you which procedure is the best choice for you after the biopsy results come back.
You can also make some lifestyle changes that will help your body to clear the infection on its own. If you smoke, quit! Cigarette smoking helps the HPV virus to grow more quickly. If you are currently a smoker, quitting may be enough to return your pap smear to normal.
From Our Patients
“Dr. Cajas has been my Dr. for my past three pregnancies... I absolutely love him and his staff.
I would highly recommend him to anyone.” – Rosy Estrada
Call us at (210) 858-1101 or Schedule Your Appointment Online!
Women’s Center at Westover Hills – Main Location:
1315 N. Ellison Drive, San Antonio, TX 78251
P: (210) 858-1101F: (210) 547-3750
Office Hours
Mon-Wed 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thurs 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Fri 7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Women’s Center at Westover Hills – Downtown Location:
(Children’s Hospital of San Antonio – Tenth Floor)
315 N. San Saba, Suite 1068 San Antonio, TX 78207
P: (210) 858-1101F: (210) 547-3750
Office Hours
Mon-Wed 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thurs 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Fri 8:30 am – 2:00 pm
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San Antonio’s Westover Hills Obstetrics, Gynecology & Robotic Surgery Practice.
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