Pap smear testing has come a long
way.  Hopefully, your doctor is still not smearing your cells on a slide
and spraying a fixative on it.  If you see a little liquid-filled vial on the
counter, your doctor is likely with the times.   The dreaded Pap
smear is a necessary evil to screen for cervical cancer, a very curable
female cancer.  Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease
and is thought to be the viral culprit for the vast majority of cervical
cancers.  Here are a few ways you can help your doctor provide you the
most accurate Pap smear results.

• 1.      
  No douching for 24 hours prior to
  your exam.  (Actually, douching at any time is unfavorable as it increases
  your risk for gynecological infections.)

• 2.      
  Nothing in the vagina for 48 hours prior. 
  This includes intercourse, tampons, contraceptives or medications.

• 3.      
  Aim to schedule your Pap for the
  middle of your menstrual cycle.  This is usually on Day 10-14 of your
  cycle.  (Customarily, Day 1 of your menstrual cycle is the first day you
  wake up with a typical, full bleed.)

• 4.      
  It’s best to do your Pap when you
  are not bleeding or experiencing any vaginal infection symptoms like burning,
  itching, discharge, or foul odor.  Infections can sometimes give falsely
  abnormal Pap smear results.

• 5.      
  Wait at least 8 weeks after the
  delivery of your baby to get a Pap smear.

• 6.      
  It is best for the doctor to avoid
  lubricant on the speculum as it can interfere with testing.

With the newer technology mentioned
above, there is more flexibility with the guidelines above.  However, the
way I see it, why risk having to repeat your Pap smear.  I have not yet
met a woman who loves to get a Pap smear, and I don’t think I ever will so long
as there are stirrups involved!

Interestingly, this information was presented as part of an
update on pap smear testing just this last weekend at a Family Practice Continuing Medical Education
conference from a very, informative OB/GYN professor genuinely interested in
promoting Women’ s Health.  Most of the talk was focused on when to repeat testing and when to refer patients with abnormal pap smears for necessary surgical procedures.  The point is, allopathic medical doctors are
doing the best they know within the construct of what preventative medicine
means to them. 

The way I
see it, getting a Pap smear is more like “early detection” than true
“prevention”.  If we find someone with an abnormal Pap smear, we
have detected a pre-cancer or cancer early, not truly prevented it.  It
can be argued that there is “prevention” of cancer when doctors
detect pre-cancerous changes and are able to use surgical procedures to prevent
it from progressing to a full cancer with potential to metastasize.  But
who wants to do nothing and just wait until it’s time for surgery on your
reproductive organs.

Herein lies the beauty of Integrative Medicine. It embraces the evidence-based
model of allopathic medicine but also includes other proven forms of medicine
to create more comprehensive, cost-effective options for patients.  Two
leaders in Integrative Primary Care at the Arizona Center for Integrative
Medicine, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog and Dr. Victoria Maizes, have written a
wonderful reference book aptly titled, Integrative Women’s Health.  Some salient excerpts below illustrate the
utility of using lifestyle choices to improve and prevent cervical cancer full
throttle.

“Women with later sexual experiences, fewer sexual partners, female sexual
partners, male sexual partners who use condoms, and women who are nonsmokers
are all at decreased risk of developing cervical cancer if infected with HPV
(Rock et al. 2000).”

“A number of well-designed studies have demonstrated the protective link
between certain nutrients and the development of cervical cancer.  High
intakes of vegetables, fruits, fiber, beta-carotenes, folic acid, retinols,
vitamin E, and vitamin C are associated with up to 60% risk reduction for
development of cervical cancer in HPV-positive women.”

The authors go on to write that the data showed these benefits from food intake. 
Having said that, there is data suggesting that supplementation can be useful
in preventing the progression of cervical pre-cancer to full cervical
cancer.  Naturopathic doctors routinely use supplementation in addition to
a diet rich in colorful fruits and veggies (remember, rainbow colors =
anti-oxidant properties) with thoughtful avoidance of refined sugars and
alcohol to help boost the immune system.  The immune system is
instrumental in a woman’s active fight against cervical cancer progression.

Specifics on supplementation for those drooling for more on this:  folic
acid at 10mg/day, vitamin C at 500mg at least three times a day (up to 3000 mg
a day) and vitamin E (as d-alpha-tocopherol) at 400 IU twice daily. 

Remember: Integrative Medicine does not reject allopathic medicine; therefore,
regular Pap smears are still recommended along with any lifestyle change. The
key take home point for you- don’t be a sitting duck waiting for your HPV to
slowly create cancer of your cervix.  Fight back!  Use your food as
ammunition and you might just be able to prevent meeting the lovely people in
the operating room when it comes to your cervix.