Weekender Alicante North Issue 108

Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain
FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2019 31
Health&Lifestyle
Should I be having
regular smear tests?
I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago and have not had a smear test since. My friend who
has also had a hysterectomy is still having regular smears. Should I be having checks?
THERE is no right or wrong
here as it depends upon
the situation. The important
issue is that the patient
knows what type
of hysterectomy she has
had and the reason for
the procedure.
During a smear test, cells
are removed from the cervix
(neck of the womb) and
examined for changes that
may lead to cancer later on.
If a woman has had a TO-
TAL hysterectomy, the cervix
will have been removed. If
she has had a SUB-TOTAL
hysterectomy the cervix will
have been conserved.
Therefore, in the case of a
sub- total hysterectomy, the
woman should attend for regular
smears. Very frequently,
women who have had a total
hysterectomy will not need to
attend as they have no cervix.
However, and this is EX-
TREMELY IMPORTANT, if
the hysterectomy was performed
as a result of cancer or
for any other reason if there
were pre- cancerous changes
or the suspicion of cancer, the
woman will still need regular
checks. In cases such as
these, a procedure known as
a vault smear is performed.
It is the same procedure but
as the woman has no cervix,
cells are removed from the
closed end of the vagina and
the vaginal walls.
All women undergoing
hysterectomy should ensure
that they know exactly what
type of surgery they are having
and ask the Gynaecologist
if ongoing smear tests
are recommended. If you are
unable to find this information
out, see your Doctor or
Practice Nurse.
For more information or to book an appointment call the Family Medical Centre on
+34 966 865 072, emailing us at info@albirfamilymedicalcentre.com or on Facebook
www.facebook.com/albirfamilymedicalcentre