What is a Pap smear?
A pap smear is the routine screening test done by your doctor during a pelvic examination. A pap smear takes a sample or a "smear" from a woman's cervix. The cervix leads to the uterus or the womb. The doctor simply takes a sample by scraping a few cells from the cervix with a tiny spatula. The doctor then puts the sample on a slide and sends it to a special laboratory where it is studied and evaluated by experts.
A few weeks after your exam, you will receive a report of your Pap smear. If the conclusion is "normal" then everything is ok. If the conclusion is "inconclusive" or "abnormal" further testing may be recommended.

Do Pap Smears hurt?
Pap smears are uncomfortable but do not hurt.

Why is it so important to have routine Pap smears?
The pap smear allows your physician to monitor any changes in the cervix. The earlier a change is noticed, the earlier a problem may be noticed and can more effectively be treated. Abnormal cells in the cervix can develop into cervical cancer. However, if you have routine pap smears you catch the abnormal cells long before cancer develops.

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