Women's Preventive Screening

The Papanicolaou test, also known as vaginal cytology or Pap-smear, is a test performed to help prevent and detect cervical cancer early. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

The Pap test looks for abnormalities in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. These abnormalities can be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection (STD).

The Pap test is a very effective tool to prevent cervical cancer. If detected and treated early, cervical cancer is highly curable.

All women who have had sexual relations should have a Pap test. How often the test should be performed depends on the woman's age and health history.

Women ages 21 to 29 should get a Pap test every three years. Women ages 30 to 65 should have a Pap smear every five years, as long as their results are normal.

If your Pap test results are abnormal, your doctor may recommend that you undergo further testing. These tests may include a colposcopy, which is a close-up examination of the cervix, or a biopsy, which is the removal of a small piece of tissue from the cervix for analysis in the laboratory.