Pap Smear

Pap smear testing is a straightforward procedure conducted by Dr. Kahan during your routine pelvic exams. Using a small spatula or brush, cells are collected from various areas of your cervix, later examined under a microscope to detect abnormalities.While you may experience a brief cramping sensation during the Pap smear, any discomfort is fleeting. Some women report feeling no sensation at all. No anesthesia or preparation is necessary, although if you’re menstruating, rescheduling may be advised.

Although results aren’t immediate, you typically receive your Pap smear results within a few days as they are processed in the lab.

If your pap smear comes back abnormal, Dr. Kahan will review what your particular test result means, and what the next steps are. Depending on the result, this may range from simply repeating the pap smear in one year, to a subsequent procedure called a colposcopy, to a more in depth excisional procedure.

A colposcopy is an in office procedure generally lasting about 15 minutes that involves obtaining a magnified view of the cervix. It allows us to identify any potential areas of concern on the cervix so that we may biopsy them to obtain a sample. Then, the biopsy is sent to the lab for review, which would determine the next steps needed, if any.