Who Should Get an Anal Pap smear?
HPV has been linked to the development of cervical cancer in women. Hence the need to see a gynecologist for a regular exam and Pap smear. In the case of anal cancer, the disease is strongly tied to anal HPV. And, this is where your proctologist, also known as a colon and rectal surgeon is involved. Beyond educating you about this nefarious virus, your proctologist can evaluate you, examine you and perform anal Pap smears to try to find the earliest signs of an inflammation.
There are steps that you can take to screen for disease, if you are not in a high risk group. This screening should be thought of as being no different than your regular trip to your doctor. Plant it in your mind and leave it there as reminder for your yearly visit.
A regular visit to your proctologist will allow for a digital exam, whereby the doctor places a gloved finger into your rectum to feel for abnormalities, masses or blood (microscopic blood). This is often followed by a proctosigmoidoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy or anoscopy; all quick exams that allow your doctor to view various parts of your colon, rectum or anus. Your physician may recommend a colon evaluation by a colonoscopy, barium enema or CT colonoscopy.
Most likely, all will be fine and will remain that way. If you are in high risk group, your doctor may place a small soft brush inside your anal opening to perform a Pap smear, looking for early signs of inflammation.
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