Some Pap smear terminology:
• Cytoplasm: the part of the cell that is not the nucleus.
• Nucleus: the middle of the cell, usually round.
o Hint: You can compare the general shape of a cell to that of a fried egg; think of the yolk as the nucleus and the white part as the cytoplasm.
• Dysplasia: a higher nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio. This means the nucleus is larger than it should be for the size of the cell.
• Mild Dysplasia: the nucleus is about 3-4 times larger than it should be.
• Moderate Dysplasia: the nucleus is 5-6 times larger than it should be.
• Severe Dysplasia: the nucleus is taking up most of the cell.
• CIS or Carcinoma in Situ: the nucleus is large and abnormally shaped and the cell is now considered "cancerous". BUT the cancer has not gone anywhere and is still very treatable at this stage.
• Invasive carcinoma: the malignant cells are starting to invade other parts of the body.
• HPV or Human Papilloma Virus: a sexually transmitted virus. Some varieties of HPV cause genital warts and dysplasia.
Risk factors for cervical cancer:
• Beginning sexual activity at an early age
• Multiple sexual partners
• Having sexual partners who have had multiple sexual partners
• Low socioeconomic status (which may make it more difficult to afford preventive care)
• Smoking
• And the number 1 risk factor: infection with the Human Papilloma Virus, a sexually transmitted virus
Author's note: The basic gist of this page is that if you are sexually active to please get a yearly pap smear. Most of the invasive cervical cancers we see these days are in sexually active females who have gone 5, 10 and unbelieveably, sometimes 15 years without a pap smear. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can cause dysplasia, a precancerous cellular change which may lead to cancer. Please, please, please get regular checkups if you are sexually active. And if you get back abnormal pap smear results, please get the follow-up care which may include a minor surgical procedure to get rid of the dysplasia. Cervical cancer is highly curable, practically 100% curable, if it is found while still non-invasive.