In celebration of Women's Month, the Brazilian Society of Pathology (SBP) warns of the importance of routine gynecological examinations, but with the possibility of preventing serious diseases that affect women's health.
One of them is the Pap smear, which can prevent cervical cancer and is offered free of charge in the Unified Health System (SUS).
Read more:
Screening can prevent uterine cancer
See how it works:
- A Pap test analyzes cells in the cervical area to identify lesions or changes that may indicate human papillomavirus, the main cause of the disease;
- It consists of “scraping” the inner and outer surface of the cervix.
- The scraped cells are placed on a slide. In the laboratory, they are stained to allow the identification of microscopic changes.
Thus, the main factor of uterine cancer can be identified early and prevented.
According to Dr. Clovis Klok, President of SBP, the sooner these changes in cells are identified, the lower the chances of developing cancer or needing aggressive treatment.
How and who can perform a Pap smear
The Pap smear is for women between the ages of 25 to 64 who have already had some type of sexual intercourse.
The test is offered free of charge by SUS.
In addition, there are other tests that help with a woman's gynecological health and can detect HPV. One is polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is a type of molecular biology test. This method was incorporated into SUS on March 7 and also helps in early identification of uterine cancer.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
