While the Pap was invented in the 1940s and involves inspecting cervical cells for precancerous or cancerous shifts, in the ...

A pap smear (or pap test) is a screening for cervical cancer. It involves taking cells from the cervix and vagina and examining them under a microscope. The test is looking for cervical ...

Most people should continue getting Pap smears after menopause, as you may still be at risk for cervical cancer, which Pap tests can identify early. Some people may be able to stop Pap smears after ...

When it comes to preventative exams, they can often seem like an unnecessary bother or even just another item on the to-do list, but they're an opportunity to monitor your health and touch base with ...

An abnormal Pap smear means some percentage of your cervix cells appear abnormal in shape or size. In most cases, an abnormal Pap smear does not indicate cancer and is in fact caused by HPV. If you ...

Editor's note: anyone with a cervix can get a Pap smear, but for this article, we included sources who generally referred to these people as women. Going to the doctor for any type of exam can feel ...

A Pap smear or Pap test involves a doctor taking a small sample of cells from a person’s cervix using a brush or spatula-like instrument to look for changes in the cervix’s cells. Share on Pinterest ...