Papanicolau: para que serve, como é feito e quando realizar

For over 80 years, the Pap smear has been medicine's primary tool for protecting women's health. The great advantage of this exam is that it doesn't look for cancer already present, but acts preventively: it screens for lesions and changes very early on, when simple treatments can resolve the problem before it becomes serious. In this guide, we explain the step-by-step collection process, the ages recommended by the Ministry of Health, and the recent changes in the Unified Health System (SUS) that bring even greater precision to its diagnosis. 🔍 What you will find in this guide: What the Exam Looks For: How the Pap smear analyzes cells from the cervix to detect inflammation, common vaginal infections, and, especially, precancerous lesions caused by the HPV virus. How the Sample is Collected: The procedure is quick (5 to 10 minutes) and painless. We explain the use of the speculum ("duckbill") and the small brush that collects cells for laboratory analysis. The Right Age and Frequency: According to the Ministry of Health, women who have already begun their sexual life should start screening at age 25. After two consecutive normal annual exams, the interval can be extended to every three years. The New Change in the SUS (HPV DNA Test): Understand how the new test (which directly detects the virus's DNA) became the primary tool in the public network, allowing the interval between exams to be increased to up to 5 years (when the result is negative). Preparation (What NOT to Do): The importance of not being menstruating and avoiding sexual intercourse, douches, and vaginal creams in the 48 hours prior to collection. What to Do in Case of Abnormal Results: Results with acronyms such as LSIL, HSIL, or ASC-US require calm and follow-up. The next step is usually a more detailed examination called colposcopy. Complete Protection: How the HPV vaccine (offered by the SUS [Brazilian Public Health System] for boys and girls aged 9 to 14) combines forces with the Pap smear to practically eliminate the risk of cervical cancer in the future. Prevention is the greatest act of care for your own body. Keeping your gynecological exams up to date is quick, safe, and saves thousands of lives every year. 👍 Did this content help answer your questions about the preparation and importance of the exam? Leave your like and share it with the women in your life. 🔔 Subscribe to the channel to follow reliable information about women's health, vaccination, and cancer prevention with Dr. Hugo Tanaka. Dr. Hugo Tanaka Clinical Oncologist CRM 163241 | RQE 100689 – Clinical Oncology Website: https://drhugotanaka.com.br/