Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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PAP Smear
Overview & Description
A Pap smear is a sampling of cells from a woman's cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. The cells are scraped from the cervix during a pelvic exam.
Cervical dysplasia is a condition in which a woman has abnormal changes in the top layer of cells of her cervix. These changes are an early sign that cervical cancer may develop.
A cervical cell goes through precancerous stages for months to years before becoming an invasive, malignant, carcinoma. Catching the disease at the precancerous stage can prevent the development of cervical cancer. Since the Pap smear was introduced 60 years ago, deaths from cancer of the cervix have decreased by 70%.
Who is a candidate for the test?
The American Cancer Society recommends that women have yearly Pap smears beginning at age 18 or when they become sexually active. If a woman has had three negative annual Pap tests in a row, the doctor may recommend less frequent testing. Some women may need more frequent screenings if they are at high risk for cancer of the cervix. Risk factors include the following:
How is the test performed?
The first step is for the healthcare provider to perform a pelvic exam. A speculum is a metal or plastic instrument that is placed in the vagina. This instrument allows the provider to see the interior of the vagina and the cervix. A small, sterile brush is used to take a sample of cells from the internal opening of the cervix. A small wooden spatula is used to scrape the outside of the cervix. These two scrapings are placed on a glass slide or in a small bottle filled with a special liquid. The cells are analyzed later under a microscope in a laboratory.