PAP SMEARS, AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM

by Dr. Lawrence Wilson

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

The ‘pap smear’ is one of the most common medical tests done on women. The name comes from a Dr. Papaniculaou, who originated the test. It is used to detect abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. The cervix is the bottom part of the uterus that projects down into the vagina. Abnormal cells may indicate that some cancer or pre-cancer of the cervix is present. Early detection of this cancer can be life-saving by removing the cancer before it spreads to the rest of the body.

The procedure is very simple. The nurse or doctor uses a vaginal speculum to open and visualize the cervix, which is part way back inside the vagina. She then takes a cotton swab and scrapes it along the surface of the cervix. This knocks off some surface cells. The swab is then viewed under a microscope to check for abnormal-looking cells.

WHAT TO DO IF THE PAP TEST COMES BACK ABNORMAL

If a pap test comes back abnormal, doctors will usually suggest either: 1) repeating the test or 2) a biopsy of the cervix. This is somewhat invasive, as it involves cutting out several small sections of tissue from the cervix and sending these to a lab for microscopic examination to look for cancerous cells.

Sadly, most doctors do not tell you that the main reason for the presence of abnormal cells is often poor nutrition. So the first thing I suggest if a pap test comes back abnormal is to improve your diet and take at least some basic nutritional supplements, since food alone today is not nearly sufficient to supply our nutritional needs.

Among the most important nutrients that most women need are vitamin D (5000 iu daily), omega-3 fatty acids (900 mg daily), and a multi-vitamin-mineral product. Taking these vital nutrients and then repeating the test in a few weeks to a month will usually clear up the abnormal cells. If it does not, then more procedures such as the biopsy are needed.

A NUTRITIONAL BALANCING PROGRAM GENERALLY PROTECTS AGAINST ABNORMAL CERVICAL CELLS

If a woman eats correctly – with several cups of cooked vegetables each day - and follows a nutritional balancing nutritional supplement program, it is very rare that a pap test shows abnormal cells. This is important to know, as this means that this diet and the correct supplements help prevent cervical cancer.

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