A Pap smear is a test for women that can help find or prevent cervical cancer. During the procedure, cells are collected from the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The cells are checked for cancer or for signs that they may become cancer. These are called precancerous cells. Finding and treating precancerous cells can help prevent cervical cancer. The Pap smear is a reliable way to find cancer early, when it's most treatable.

Other names for a Pap smear: Pap test, cervical cytology, Papanicolaou test, Pap smear test, vaginal smear technique

Most women between the ages of 21 and 65 should have regular Pap smears.

• Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should be tested every three years.
• Women ages 30–65 can be tested every five years if the test is combined with an HPV test. If there is no HPV test, the Pap should be done every three years.

Regardless of your age, your health care provider may recommend a Pap smear if you:

• Had an abnormal Pap smear in the past
• Have HIV
• Have a weakened immune system
• Were exposed to a drug called DES (Diethylstilbestrol) before birth. Between the years 1940–1971, DES was prescribed to pregnant women as a way to prevent miscarriages. It was later linked to an increased risk of certain cancers in the female children exposed to it during the pregnancy.

Women older than 65 who have had normal Pap smears for several years or have had surgery to remove the uterus and cervix may not need to have Pap smears anymore. If you are unsure whether you need a Pap smear, talk to your health care provider.

You should not have a Pap smear while you are having your period. A good time to have the test is about five days after the last day of your period. Additional recommendations are to avoid certain activities a few days before your Pap smear. Two to three days before your test you shouldn't:

• Use tampons
• Use birth control foams or other vaginal creams
• Douche
• Have sex

Your Pap smear results will show whether your cervical cells are normal or abnormal. You may also get a result that is unclear.

• Normal Pap smear. The cells in your cervix were normal. Your health care provider will recommend that you come back for another screening in three to five years depending on your age and medical history.
• Unclear or unsatisfactory results. There may not have been enough cells in your sample or there may have been some other problem that made it hard for the lab to get an accurate reading. Your health care provider may ask you to come in for another test.
• Abnormal Pap smear. Abnormal changes were found in your cervical cells. Most women who have abnormal results do not have cervical cancer. But, your health care provider may recommend follow-up testing to monitor your cells. Many cells will go back to normal on their own. Other cells may turn into cancer cells if not treated. Finding and treating these cells early can help prevent cancer from developing.

Talk to your health care provider to learn what your Pap smear results mean.

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