Question

Abnormal PAP smear follow-up and cervical cancer symptoms:

- Patients with an abnormal PAP should be followed up with?
- A) Repeat PAP smear
- B) Immediate surgery
- C) No follow-up necessary
- D) Dental examination
- True or False: Most women with abnormal PAP smears have symptoms.
- A) True
- B) False
- Though cervical cancer often does not cause symptoms, name one potential symptom.
- Open-ended question
- What two strains of HPV are most associated with cervical cancer?
- A) HPV 6 and 11
- B) HPV 16 and 18
- C) HPV 31 and 33
- D) HPV 45 and 52

Answer 1

Follow-up for an abnormal PAP smear typically involves a repeat PAP smear or additional testing, not immediate surgery or unrelated examinations. Women with abnormal PAP smears usually do not exhibit symptoms, making 'False' the correct answer. HPV 16 and 18 are the strains most associated with cervical cancer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Patients with an abnormal PAP should be followed up with a Repeat PAP smear or additional testing, such as an HPV test or a biopsy, depending on the abnormality found and the patient's medical history. It's important to note that surgery is not an immediate step unless invasive cancer is diagnosed. A dental examination is unrelated to PAP smear follow-up.

Most women with abnormal PAP smears do not have symptoms, which makes the answer to the true or false question False. Cervical cancer often does not cause symptoms in its early stages, but one potential symptom can be abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.

The two strains of HPV most associated with cervical cancer are HPV 16 and 18. The prevalence of cervical cancer in the United States is low due to regular screening exams like pap smears, while women in lower-income countries are at a higher risk due to lack of access to these preventative screenings.