Attention!

In light of the current COVID-19 Pandemic, we are taking precautions to protect our patients and staff.

If you are a patient of our office and have a COUGH, FEVER and/or known exposure to COVID-19, please call our office at 312-440-9400 to reschedule your upcoming appointment and discuss recommendations for next steps.


I’m pregnant, Should I get the COVID vaccine?

For most people, getting the COVID vaccine as soon as possible is the safest choice. Visit the link below and find out what your choice on the COVID vaccine should be.

Northwestern Women’s Health Associates, S.C
680 N. Lake Shore Drive #1200, Chicago, 60611 | Get Directions

Chicago, doctor discusses pap smears and what to do if yours is abnormal

It’s estimated that ever year in the United States, nearly 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and of those diagnosed, almost 5,000 of them will die from the disease. Worse still, many of these deaths could have been avoided through early detection. The team at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates, knows all too well the potentially devastating effects of cervical cancer, which is why we encourage women to schedule annual exams with a pap smear.

The team at Northwestern Women’s Health Associates, knows all too well the potentially devastating effects of cervical cancer

What is a pap smear and why is it important?

Pap smears save lives. The test is a quick and effective screening for cervical cancer. Your cervix is the narrow passage at the end of the uterus. During a pelvic exam, the doctor will use a spatula and a soft brush to take a small sampling of cells from your cervix and send them to a lab where they are screened for irregularities that could eventually progress into cervical cancer. If a pap smear is abnormal, treatment can be provided to prevent the cancer from developing.

Who should have a pap smear?

It is recommended by the American Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that starting at 21 years old, women should have a pap test every two years. For women over the age of 30, that frequency may change to once every three years if there have been three consecutive normal tests. Women who have had abnormal tests may require more frequent pap smears. Women over the age of 65 typically no longer require pap smears, however those who are sexually active and with a history of abnormal pap smears or treatment for cervical cancer may still require testing.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY
Call : 312-440-9400 OR Request an Appointment

What does a pap smear detect?

Pap smear tests are not designed to diagnose cervical cancer, but rather to detect changes in cells that could potentially develop into cancer later. When the results of a pap test are abnormal, the doctor will recommend treatment options to prevent the development of cancer.

The pap smear test

While the idea of a pap smear test seems awkward or uncomfortable, the good news is that this lifesaving test is quick and painless. Most pap smears occur during a yearly pelvic exam. During the procedure, your gynecologist will use a device called a speculum which allows him or her to have a better view of the cervix. The doctor then uses a small, soft brush to swab cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to a laboratory for microscopic evaluation. Numbing spray may be used to make the process more comfortable.

Pap smear results

Image of a young lady suffer from Abnormal Pap Smear

While pap smears are very effective in detecting cell irregularities, they are not 100 percent positive. If a pap smear comes back negative, it means that there was no detection of abnormal cells. However, in some cases, a false-negative may occur because either there were not enough cells collected or there is a low number of abnormal cells.

If the pap smear comes back positive, that signals the presence of abnormal cells or cancer cells. Depending on the results, the gynecologist may recommend doing a repeat test in four to six months or a colposcopy, which allows the doctor to look more closely at the cervix and take a tissue sample for biopsy.

Some of the most common cell abnormalities are:

  • ASCUS (Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) ­– This indicates the presence of mildly abnormal cells that are not yet considered pre-cancerous.
  • Squamous intraepithelial lesion – This indicates cells that are possibly pre-cancerous. This is low grade, which has less of a risk of progressing to cancer in the near future than high grade does.
  • Atypical glandular cells – This indicates the confirmation of abnormal cells that require further testing.
  • Squamous cell cancer or adenocarcinoma – This indicates a likely presence of cancer and further testing is required.

Pap smear testing is one of the most critical aspects of women’s health. We recommend that all women speak with their doctors about their risk of developing cervical cancer to determine how often to have the test done. We also encourage you to spread the word about the importance of pap testing by reminding your friends and family to check with their doctors and get tested. Together, we can lower the rates of preventable cervical cancer. If you are in Chicago, call us at 312-440-9400 for more information on pap smear tests.

 

Back to Blog Page


women’s healthcare, our team of experts is dedicated to providing every woman highest level of sensitive, specialized care

At Northwestern Women's Health Associates

your unique needs are our highest priority.

Making use of advanced technology and staying on the cutting edge of women’s healthcare, our team of experts is dedicated to providing every woman who visits our office with the highest level of sensitive, specialized care. At our office in Chicago, you can receive exceptional obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) services from any one of our highly skilled doctors, including Stanley Friedell, MD; Abbie Roth, MD; Regina Belmonte, MD; Sharon Wise, MD; Julianne Morton, MD; Whitney Dunn, MD; Aleena Lakhanpal, MD ; and Margaret Kistner, MD. With their combined expertise, this team of board-certified doctors at Northwestern Women's Health Associates makes it possible for you to receive efficient, personalized care from the preeminent women’s hospital in the Midwest.

Success Stories

  • 5 Star Review
    "Wonderful experience with Dr. Julianne Morton @ NW Women's Associates. I've recommended her to countless girlfriends. Being a first time mom, I went through many physical symptoms and emotions that accompany pregnancy. She is extremely thorough, patient, and has wonderful bedside manner. I felt confident going into delivery with Dr. Morton taking the lead with my delivery. Wonderful practice!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr. Morton is absolutely amazing. She cared for me throughout my first pregnancy and we found her to be kind and caring and straightforward - could not have asked for a better experience! Dr. Dunn ended up being on call during my delivery and she was great as well. I have always found the nurses and office staff to be friendly and on top of things - very happy with the practice!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "I had to have a laproscopic hysterectomy done by Dr. Friedell and all went fabulously! They were very detailed in pre-op which made a lot of difference. I came out of surgery feeling great and post op I was back to work within two weeks. Everyone at the practice, at the hospital, at pre-op were incredible."

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr.Julianne Morton is amazing! I was recommended by a friend when I moved to the Chicago area and was looking for an OB-GYN. I have seen her for two years in Chicago for my yearly exam. She is beyond kind and great at what she does. Dr.Morton makes you feel very comfortable and is such an incredible doctor! I have recommended her to all of my friends as well who need a new gyno/OB-GYN."

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr. Morton is a really great doctor. She has an incredible bedside manner and makes you feel comfortable. She makes sure to ask if you have any questions and will happily answer all of them with you. Would highly recommend!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr. Friedell is amazing! He helped delivered my first baby and the whole process was super smooth and stress free. All the staff in the office are super friendly too. Highly recommend!"

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "Dr Freidell is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and really cares about his patients. He is very good at getting to the root of the problem, especially with overlapping symptoms. He guided me through all my options and their implications. I will highly recommend him and his team."

    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review
    "I love Dr. Belmonte. I have been going to her since 2006! She rocks!!! She is straight to the point, I love that about her. When I leave her office after seeing her I always feel great, like a just left a good friends house or something!"
    VIA Google
  • 5 Star Review

    "I can not tell you how wonderful my experiences have been. Dr. Sharon Wise is my doctor and she is fantastic. She is straightforward and honest about treatments and procedures. I enjoy her sense of humor, and I found her bedside manner when delivering my son to be excellent. "

    VIA Google