What Is A Pap Smear?

Have you ever wondered "What is a pap smear?"

The pap smear, or pap test, is a short name for the Papanicolaou test which is a test used to screen for cervical cancer or cells that are at risk for becoming cervical cancer and may be associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV).

The pap test is generally done at the time of a pelvic examination of a female. During the speculum inspection of the vagina and cervix, a spatula and/or brush are used to sample cells from the cervix, the muscular opening of the uterus. Most women find that this examination causes minor or no discomfort. After sampling, the cells are smeared onto a slide which can be examined under a microscope.

Because all women, and particularly those who have been sexually active, are at risk for developing cervical cancer, pap smear testing is often recommended as a routine part of preventative health care. It is used as a screening test. In this role, it can be helpful in catching one of two things related to cervical cancer: 1) The test can identify abnormal cells, called cervical dysplasia, which may be precursors to cancer, or 2) it can identify cancerous cells of early cervical cancer.

This screening test can therefore help identify women who may benefit from further testing and/or treatment for cervical dysplasia and/or cervical cancer. Because cervical cancer is more treatable and the prognosis is better if caught early, this screening test can be lifesaving, even in an individual who has not yet experienced symptoms related to the disease.

The guidelines for when to start pap smear testing in women and how often to perform the test varies. In general, women are recommended to start having regular tests within a few years of first becoming sexually active, generally between age 20 and 25. Recommendations on frequency of testing vary from about 1 to 5 years. Assuming a woman has always had normal tests, there are also varying guidelines about when they can stop being tested, generally after age 65-70.

If you are concerned about HPV and cervical cancer, discuss it with your own physician to determine your risks for these diseases and your options for screening. Ask them "What is a pap smear and do I need one? Am I at risk for cervical cancer? Would I or my children benefit from a cervical cancer vaccine?"