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 ...

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 ...

During the routine procedure, cells from your cervix are gently scraped away and examined for abnormal growth. The procedure is done at your doctor’s office. It may be mildly uncomfortable, but ...

Your healthcare provider may recommend a repeat Pap smear to confirm the abnormal resultsiStock A Pap smear, or Pap test, is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. During the test, cells from the ...

A Pap smear is a screening tool that healthcare professionals use detect abnormal cells and cancer. During the Pap smear, a healthcare professional takes a cell sample from the cervix. Cervical cancer ...

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 ...

Pap smears used to be a no-brainer: You’d see your ob/gyn for your yearly wellness check and would get an annual Pap in the process. But recommendations changed in the last few years and now it’s not ...