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 ...

Although you can get a Pap smear during your menstrual period, some doctors may prefer you do not. A heavy flow may alter your exam results. If in doubt, it’s better to ask your OB-GYN, but try not to ...

A Pap smear (Pap test) is a routine part of your healthcare screening. They are often performed during your first prenatal visit. Research and professional organizations confirm that it is safe and an ...

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 ...

Routine cancer screenings can save lives. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers thanks to Pap smears, which can detect abnormal cells before they even develop into cancer. Still, many ...

Human papillomavirus (HPV) blood tests and Pap smear tests are methods for detecting cervical cancer. Doctors may recommend a person has both tests to check for cervical cancer. Share on Pinterest ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Woman at the doctor's office Getty Images/fstop123 When Noa Fleischacker had her first pap smear, she was struck by an unbearable, ...

Cervical cancer screening is one of the best success stories in health care. Since the 1970s, the death rate from cervical cancer has dropped by more than half. "The goal of the screening is to detect ...