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Repeat Pap Smears
Why are repeat pap smears important?
There are 3 main reasons why we do repeat pap smears after treatment of
dysplasia:
- To be sure the treatment destroyed the dysplasia.
- To be sure the dysplasia has not progressed to cancer.
- To be sure the dysplasia has not returned.
How often will I need a pap smear?
After treatment, you will need a pap smear every 6 months for 1 year.
If these are all normal, then you will need a pap smear every 6 months.
Will I need to come to University Hospitals for all my pap smears?
You can have pap smears with your local doctor if you wish and if your local doctor feels comfortable following you, or we can follow you here at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic, whichever is convenient for you.
What if my pap smears come back abnormal?
Depending on how abnormal it is, we may just need to repeat the pap smear
or look at the cervix through the colposcope. Sometimes it may be necessary
to take another biopsy or use a different treatment for the dysplasia.
Who will be doing my pap smears when I return?
Either a doctor or one of the colposcopy nurses will be doing your repeat
pap smears. It will take only about 15 minutes. If a nurse does your pap
smear, you will not be seen by a doctor. Therefore, if you have other
problems you wish to discuss with a doctor, please call the clinic at
least the day before and ask to talk to a gynecology nurse. The clinic
telephone number is 319-356-2631. Peer Review Status: Internally
Peer Review Date: 2004
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