Pap smears are a lifesaving screening tool for cervical cancer. The test can detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they become cancerous. Healthcare providers often perform HPV tests during Pap tests to check for HPV, one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. An unclear or abnormal Pap smear result may be a sign of infection, another problem or cancer.
A Pap smear (also called a Pap test) screens for cervical cancer. The test checks for abnormal cells in the cervix that are cancerous or have the potential to become cancerous. During a Pap smear, your healthcare provider takes cells from your cervix to examine under a microscope for signs of cancer. A Pap smear may also detect certain infections and inflammation. The test is named for an American physician, Dr. George Papanicolaou, who developed the Pap smear.
The cervix is the lower part of your uterus that connects to your vaginal canal. Sperm travels through your vaginal canal and cervix to your uterus to fertilize eggs. During pregnancy, your cervix closes to keep the fetus in your uterus. The cervix opens during childbirth. When you aren’t pregnant, your cervix makes mucus to keep infection-causing bacteria out of your body.
Healthcare providers perform Pap smears as part of a pelvic exam. The test checks for:
Cervical cancer
Potentially precancerous cells in the cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia)
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that increases the risk of cervical cancer
Some things that you do in the days before a Pap smear can affect test results. For the most accurate results, you should:
Not have vaginal sex for two days before your exam
Not use tampons, vaginal creams or medicines, birth control foams or jellies, lubricants or douches for at least two days before the test
Schedule the appointment at least five days after your period ends
During the procedure, your healthcare provider:
Inserts a speculum into the vagina. You may feel a bit of pressure. This metal or plastic tool holds your vagina open so your provider can see your cervix
Uses a small brush or spatula to gently scrape cells from your cervix (a biopsy)
