Top myths about pap tests

Alyssa Whetstine/TriWest Healthcare Alliance

Did you know that cervical cancer was once a leading cause of cancer death in American women?

In fact, in many developing countries, it still is. However, cervical cancer deaths in the U.S. fell by about 70 percent between 1955 and 1992, according to the American Cancer Society.

What caused this difference? One life-saving exam: the Pap test.

Yet many women don’t go for their Pap tests, often because of misunderstandings about the exam. Avoiding this test boils down to one important thing: not having it could take you away from life’s most important moments with your family.

Let’s take a few minutes to debunk some common myths:

Myth: I can skip a few Pap tests without serious consequences.

Reality check: According to the American Cancer Society, 60 to 80 percent of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer haven’t had a Pap test in the past five years. Skipping just a few exams can allow cancer to develop without you knowing.

Myth: If I’m going to get cervical cancer, a test won’t make a difference either way.

Reality check: When found early, cervical cancer is highly treatable. Nearly 90 percent of diagnosed women survive because of early detection, according to the American Cancer Society. That’s why getting your Pap tests can mean the difference between life and death.

Myth: Once I’m done having children, I can stop getting my Pap tests.

Reality check: If you’ve given birth to three or more children, you have a greater chance of developing cervical cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plus, this cancer often forms after a woman’s child-bearing years.

Myth: If I’ve had the HPV vaccine, I can’t get cervical cancer, and I don’t need any more Pap tests.

Reality check: The HPV vaccine only protects against the few strains of the virus which cause most cervical cancers. However, they’re not the only causes. Getting vaccinated is highly recommended, but it does not mean you will never get cervical cancer.

So take the time, make the time. Call for that appointment.

For more information about cervical cancer prevention, visit www.triwest.com/Pap.