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A pap test or pap smear checks for changes in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the womb, which opens into the vagina. The test can find cancer cells, or cells that could turn into cancer.
All women should start getting pap tests about 3 years after they first have vaginal sex. All women should be getting pap tests by the time they are 21 years old.
Do not have a pap test if you are having your period. It can make it harder to find cells that are not normal. Call to change your appointment.
A woman should talk with her doctor or nurse to decide how often to have pap tests. How often a woman should have pap tests is based on many things, including:
Food and Drug Administration
"Cervical Cancer Screening" (FDA Consumer magazine)
www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/104_cancer.html
National Cancer Institute Cervical Cancer Home Page
www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/types/cervical
(800) 4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
TTY: (800) 332-8615
American Cancer Society Cervical cancer page
from www.cancer.org, click on "choose
a cancer topic," then "cervical cancer"
(800) ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
American Social Health Association National HPV and Cervical Cancer Resource
Center
www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_overview.cfm
(877) HPV-5868 (877-478-5868)
August 2005