Smear Test

Hi Jade , l think the smear test reveals pre cancerous cells present in the vagina , my daugther had this and had the cells removed  , this was easily done in an out patients clinic. She went for 6 monthly smear tests for 5 years , she has been fine since and it was about 10 years ago . LS linked cancer is the skin outside  l suppose it could go inside but l think it starts outside , this is why you need to check yourself every few days to look for any changes that dont look good. l had 3 biopsies taken when my under carriage looked bad , they were not cancerous thank goodness , but l am now seeing a consultant on a regular basis to keep checking . Try not to worry you are doing the correct thing . lf you do have pre cancerous cells it is miles away from having cancer , its best to deal with this and prevention is always better than cure ! Good luck l hope all turns out well .

Jade, if that was a Pap smear, "A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in women. A Pap smear involves collecting cells from your cervix — the lower, narrow end of your uterus that's at the top of your vagina.

Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure. A Pap smear can also detect changes in your cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future. Detecting these abnormal cells early with a Pap smear is your first step in halting the possible development of cervical cancer."

This is completely separate from the twice-a-year exams we have for LS. They check for VIN: "is a skin disorder that affects your vulva. What happens is that the cells of the skin of part, or several parts, of your vulva become abnormal and change in their appearance. It is called VIN as:Vulval means affecting the vulva.

Intraepithelial means that the condition is limited to within the skin cells (epithelium is a medical word for the top layer of skin).

Neoplasia means abnormal growth or overproduction (proliferation) of cells.Note: VIN is not a cancer. The word neoplasia is sometimes used when talking of various cancers but its strict definition is an abnormal proliferation of cells. With VIN the cells are not cancerous.

However, in time, the cells of VIN in some affected women may become cancerous. So, VIN is classed as a precancerous condition. (This is similar to the abnormal cells that are found in some women following cervical screening - previously called the cervical smear test. The abnormal cells that may be found in this situation are also usually precancerous and not actually cancer.)

VIN can develop anywhere on the vulva. One patch, or more than one patch of VIN may develop in different parts of the vulva."

60% of women who get squamous cell carcinoma on their vulva had LS first. So this is why we watch carefully for any developments. SCC moves fairly slowly and is curable with surgical excision. My sister had this many years ago. She's fine and had another babr afterward. There's on woman who visits this forum who has had it. Dr. Goldstein is very confident in preventing it through regular checkups. If the doctor sees VIN, they nip it in the bud.