What Is a Pap Smear?
A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is an exam a doctor uses to test for cervical cancer in women. It can also reveal changes in your cervical cells that may turn into cancer later.
Why Is a Pap Smear Done?
A Pap smear is done to look for changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you have cancer, finding it early on gives you the best chance of fighting it. If you don’t, finding cell changes early can help prevent you from getting cancer.
If you are between the ages of 21 and 65, you should have a Pap smear on a regular basis. How often you do depends on your overall health and whether or not you’ve had an abnormal Pap smear in the past.
Pap Smear Procedure
It takes about 10-20 minutes for the whole exam, but only a few minutes for the actual Pap smear. The test is done in your doctor’s office or clinic.
You’ll lie on a table with your feet placed firmly in stirrups. You’ll spread your legs, and your doctor will insert a metal or plastic tool called a speculum into your vagina. They’ll open it so that it widens the vaginal walls. This allows them to see your cervix. Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample of cells from your cervix. They’ll place them into a liquid substance in a small jar and send them to a lab for review.
The Pap test doesn’t hurt, but you may feel a little pinch or a bit of pressure.
Pap Smear Results
Your doctor will get them within a few days. They’ll come back either negative (normal) or positive (abnormal).
Normal result
A negative result is a good thing. That means your doctor didn’t find any precancerous or cancerous cells on your cervix. You won’t need another Pap until you’re due for your next scheduled one.
Abnormal result
If your results come back positive, it doesn’t automatically mean you have cancer. There are several reasons you could have an abnormal Pap smear.
- Mild inflammation or minor cell changes (dysplasia)
- HPV or other infection
- Cancer or precancer
- Lab test error
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