Anal Pap Smear

The number of people diagnosed with anal cancer has been increasing each year.  Early detection is key, and an anal Pap smear is a simple test that you can have in your doctor’s office to look for early changes that can lead to anal cancer. It takes only minutes to perform, is painless, and no bowel preparation is needed.

Any physician can perform this simple procedure in the office setting. This involves a swab of the anal lining to collect cells to send to the lab for evaluation.

If your Pap comes back positive for abnormal cells, the next step is high-resolution anoscopy (HRA). Performed in the office setting, HRA uses a special anoscope to magnify the area. It allows the physician to take a closer, more precise look at the cells and perform a biopsy or treatment immediately, if indicated.

Talk with Your Provider

Protect your health by having a conversation with your health care provider about anal cancer risk factors and screening.

The majority of anal cancer cases occur in people with a history of exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), the same group of viruses that cause cervical and other kinds of cancer.

Risk factors for anal cancer include:

• Exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Being immunocompromised as a result of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or having to take drugs that suppress the immune system (for example, organ transplant recipients)
• A history of anal-receptive sexual activity
• Abnormal cervical pap smear
• A history of genital warts

Doylestown Health Colorectal Specialists now offer both anal Pap and high-resolution anoscopy in the office setting. If a Pap comes back with abnormal cells or is positive for HPV, HRA allows our colorectal surgeons to take a closer, more precise look at the anal area. If necessary, they can perform a treatment or biopsy immediately and send the sample off to the lab for further examination.

For more information on anal Pap smears or the HRA procedure offered at Doylestown Health Colorectal Specialists, call 215.863.8287.