Understanding the Pap smear: What it is and why it's important
Cervical cancer screening: The role of the Pap test The Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, is a screening test for cervical cancer . It is named after Dr. George Papanicolaou, the scientist who developed the test in the 1940s. The test is used to detect abnormal cells on the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. The procedure for a Pap test is relatively simple. A healthcare provider will use a small plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to gently open the vagina and visualize the cervix. Then, using a small brush or spatula, they will collect a sample of cells from the cervix. The cells are then placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test can detect a variety of abnormal cell changes, including precancerous cells and cervical cancer. Precancerous cells are abnormal cells that have not yet become cancerous, but have the potential to do so if left untreated. Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cervix