You may be asked to come in for a colposcopy. This is a procedure done in the clinic where the doctor takes biopsies of abnormal areas on the cervix. The acetic acid will stain abnormal cells on the cervix which the doctor can then biopsy. These biopsies are sent to the laboratory for an evaluation, looking for the presence of cancer. Depending on these results, your doctor will either have you return for a repeat pap smear at a later time, or have you come back for more extensive biopsies.
Cervical cancer is one of the only types of cancer that is preventable.
You should see your doctor annually for a pap smear and exam. Condom use will help decrease many of these infectious risk factors from contributing to the development of cervical cancer. A pap smear is a screening test used to detect the early stages of cervical cancer. You should have a pap smear annually unless your doctor advises otherwise. Avoid douching, intercourse or the use of vaginal creams before your pap smear.