What is a Pap Smear?
Pap Smear, also known as Pap Test, is a test to detect cervical cancer in women, by detecting cervical cells possibly turning to cancer
Procedure
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 (speculum) into your vagina. He’ll open it so that it widens the vaginal walls. This allows him to see your cervix. Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample of cells from your cervix. He’ll place them into a liquid substance in a small jar, and send them to a lab for review.
N.B. The Pap test doesn’t hurt, but you may feel a little pinch or a bit of pressure
Procedure
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 (speculum) into your vagina. He’ll open it so that it widens the vaginal walls. This allows him to see your cervix. Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample of cells from your cervix. He’ll place them into a liquid substance in a small jar, and send them to a lab for review.
N.B. The Pap test doesn’t hurt, but you may feel a little pinch or a bit of pressure
Who should get a Pap Smear?
Doctors generally recommend repeating Pap testing every three years for women ages 21 to 65.
Women age 30 and older can consider Pap testing every five years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV. Or they might consider HPV testing instead of the Pap test.
Women age 30 and older can consider Pap testing every five years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV. Or they might consider HPV testing instead of the Pap test.