Pap Smear

Family Care of Fairview -  - Family Practice

Family Care of Fairview

Family Practice located in Asheville, NC

Family Care of Fairview offers women their annual gynecological exam, and along with it, regular pap smears to check for cervical cancer. The providers perform this quick and easy screening during your annual exam at their offices located in Asheville, North Carolina. With a pap smear, the providers help women in the Reynold’s community stay on top of their health. Call the office today to schedule an appointment.

Pap Smear Q&A

What’s a pap smear?

A pap smear gathers a sampling of cells from the cervix to test them for cervical cancer or abnormalities that might indicate the future development of cervical cancer.

How is it performed?

During your annual exam, the doctor uses a small brush or swab to rub against your cervix. The doctor then sends this to a lab for analysis.

Does it hurt?

Pap smears don’t really hurt. You might feel the pressure or a rub as the cells are gathered, but it’s quick and usually relatively benign. It’s also part of your regular pelvic exam in which you’re on an exam table, naked from the waist down, and your feet in stirrups. You may feel vulnerable, and the process of separating your vaginal walls to view the cervix can be a little uncomfortable and awkward, but not painful.

What if my results are negative?

Negative results mean that no abnormalities were found and that you’re good to go until your next annual exam.

If my results come back positive, does it mean I have cancer?

A positive test just means you’ve got cells that are suspicious. This might be due to an inflammation or dysplasia when cells have changed a bit in their appearance. Often dysplasia corrects itself, so you may be asked to come back in several months for a repeat test. However, if you continue to have positive tests, you might need to have a biopsy.

Who should have a pap smear?

Family Care of Fairview recommends that women have their first test at 21 years old and benefit from having 1 every 3 years until age 65. Some women older than 30 opt to be tested just once every 5 years, as long as they are monitored for HPV — a sexually-transmitted disease linked to cervical cancer. Some women with a specific health history may be tested more often:

  • If they’ve had a positive pap test in the past (or cervical cancer)
  • If they’ve had an HIV infection
  • If they have a weak immune system due to a systemic program (such as chemo or organ transplant)
  • If they were exposed to diethylstilbestrol while in the womb (a drug mothers took before 1971 to prevent miscarriage)

Insurance

*MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED*

During each visit to our office, please be prepared with your most current insurance card. You will be asked to confirm your address, phone number, and insurance coverage every time you visit our office during check in. We appreciate your cooperation as we strive to provide the highest level of care from start to finish by preventing unnecessary demographic mistakes that can prevent/delay claim payment resulting in incorrect billing. This also assures that we are able to reach you with pertinent health-related information in a timely manner.

More Information

Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
United Healthcare