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Pap Smear

A Pap smear (also known as a Papanicolaou smear or Pap test) is a microscopic examination of cells scraped from the cervix that is used to detect cancerous or precancerous conditions of the cervix or other medical conditions. In the National Health Interview Survey questions concerning use of Pap smear differed slightly across the years for which data are shown. 

graphic bulletIn 1987 women were asked to report when they had their most recent Pap smear in days, weeks, months, or years. Women who did not respond were asked a followup question, "Was it 3 years ago or less, between 3 and 5 years, or 5 years or more ago?" 
graphic bulletIn 1993 and 1994 women were asked whether they had a Pap smear within the past year, between 1 and 3 years ago, or more than 3 years ago. 
graphic bulletIn 1998 women were asked whether they had a Pap smear 1 year ago or less, more than 1 year but not more than 2 years, more than 2 years but not more than 3 years, more than 3 years but not more than 5 years, or more than 5 years ago. 
graphic bulletIn 1999 women were asked when they had their most recent Pap smear in days, weeks, months, or years. In 1999, 4 percent of women in the sample responded "3 years ago." In this analysis these women were coded as "within the past 3 years," although a response of "3 years ago" may include women whose last Pap smear was more than 3 but less than 4 years ago. Thus estimates for 1999 are overestimated to some degree in comparison with estimates for previous years. 
graphic bulletIn 2000 women were asked when they had their most recent Pap smear (give month and year). Women who did not respond were given a followup question that used the 1999 wording and women who did not answer the followup question were asked a second followup question that used the 1998 wording. In 2000 less than 1 percent of women in the sample answered "3 years ago" using the 1999 wording and they were coded as "within the past 3 years." Thus estimates for 2000 may be slightly overestimated in comparison with estimates for years prior to 1999.

SOURCE: Health, United States

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This page last reviewed September 04, 2008

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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