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Where is the cervix?
What causes cervical cancer?
What is a Pap Test?
Why should I have a Pap test?
When should I have a Pap test?
What should I expect with a Pap test?
A note about HPV
When can I stop getting a Pap test?
What if I can't afford a Pap test?
For more information
A simple test can help prevent cervical cancer.
It is called the Pap test (or Pap smear). The
Pap test looks for abnormal changes in the
cells of the cervix.
The cervix is the narrow, lowest part of the uterus.
It forms an opening between the uterus (where the baby
grows when a woman is pregnant) and the vagina.
Almost all cervical cancer is caused by an infection
from a virus called HPV or human papillomavirus
(pronounced pap-ih-LO-ma-VYE-rus).
HPV infection is very common and is spread through
sexual contact. Most people don't know they have HPV
because they have no symptoms.
Most HPV infections go away on their own, but some
may not. If HPV does not go away, it can cause cell
changes. The Pap test can find these changes before
they become cervical cancer.
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If cell changes are found early
and treated, cervical cancer
can be prevented. |
The Pap test is a simple and routine way to find cell changes.
During a Pap test the doctor or nurse will collect a few cells from
your cervix to send to a medical lab for testing. You can get the Pap
test at your doctor's office, clinic, or community health center.
Sometimes cells in a woman's cervix begin to change and look
abnormal. These abnormal cells may not be cancer yet. But if you
don't have the cell changes treated, the changes may become cancer.
Having Pap tests regularly gives you the best chance of finding cell
changes or cervical cancer early, when they are easy to treat.
The Pap test checks for cell changes caused by HPV that could
become cancer. The Pap test does not detect many sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). Talk with your doctor or nurse about
whether you should be tested for STDs.
- Have your first Pap test about 3 years after the first time you
have sex, or when you reach age 21 (whichever comes first).
- Keep getting Pap tests every 1 to 3 years. If you are 30 or older,
an HPV test may be done along with the Pap test.
- Talk with your doctor or nurse about whether and when you
should get a Pap test if you are 65 or older.
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Talk with your doctor or nurse about how often
you should have a Pap test. |
the Pap test
For two days before your Pap test, do not douche or use any
vaginal medicines, spermicidal foams, creams, or jellies unless
directed by your doctor. If you have heavy bleeding from your
period the day of the test, call your doctor or nurse to change the
appointment to another day.
the Pap test
A female staff member will be with you during the test. Your hips
and legs will be covered. Your doctor or nurse will use an instrument
called a "speculum" to open the vagina and see your cervix. Your
doctor or nurse will then collect some cells from the cervix using a
swab or a small brush. You may feel some discomfort.
the Pap test
Your doctor or nurse will send the cells to a medical lab. The results
will come back to your doctor or nurse in 1 or 2 weeks.
- If the test results are normal (or "negative"), your doctor's office
may not notify you at all. If you do not hear from your doctor's
office, you should call to be sure that the results are normal.
- If there is something abnormal on the test (or "positive"), your
doctor should tell you. It is very important that you see your
doctor for follow-up as soon as possible. Most times, an
abnormal (or "positive") test does not mean that you have
cancer. It only means that your doctor needs to do more tests.
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Be sure to follow up with your doctor or nurse
on all test results.
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- Mention your results of previous
Pap tests, especially
if they were abnormal.
- Ask questions if there
is something that is
not clear to you.
| Most abnormal cell changes do not cause any symptoms in the
beginning. That is why it is important to get a Pap test and to
follow up with your doctor or nurse. Depending on the results of
your Pap test, your doctor or nurse may do an HPV test.
HPV is a virus that is spread through sexual contact. Condoms do
not fully protect against HPV. You can be infected with HPV and
not know it because there are no symptoms. Most HPV infections
go away on their own, but some may not. The infections that do
not go away can lead to abnormal cell changes in the cervix.
Having Pap tests regularly can find these changes early and
prevent cervical cancer. For more information about HPV, read
Understanding Cervical Changes (see below on how to order).
Did you know that an HPV vaccine is available to girls and young
women? This vaccine has been shown to protect against some of
the HPV types that cause cervical cancer. Ask your doctor about the
HPV vaccine. Even if you get the vaccine, you will still need to
have Pap tests regularly.
- If you are 65 or older, talk to your doctor or nurse about
whether or not you should keep having Pap tests. Your doctor
or nurse will tell you how often you should get one. This will
depend on the results of your previous tests, and whether you
are sexually active.
- A total hysterectomy (pronounced hiss-ter-EK-toe-mee) is when
both the uterus and cervix have been taken out. If you had a
hysterectomy to treat pre-cancer or cancer, you should continue
to have Pap tests. If you had a total hysterectomy that was NOT
done to treat pre-cancer or cancer, you do not need a Pap test.
Talk with your doctor or nurse if you are not certain.
- Free and low-cost tests: If you have a low income or do not
have health insurance, there may be places in your community
where you can get a Pap test for free. For more information
on where to get a free or low-cost Pap test, call toll-free
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). It is possible to speak
to someone in English or Spanish.
- Medicaid: If you are eligible for Medicaid, you might not have
to pay for the doctor visit and the Pap test. For more
information, call your state Medicaid office.
- Medicare: If you are 65 years of age or older, Medicare pays
for the Pap test every 2 years, or every year for certain
women at higher risk. For more information, call toll-free
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). It is possible to speak
to someone in English or Spanish.
- A Pap test is a simple test that checks for cell
changes in the cervix that could become cancer.
- Although you may feel healthy, abnormal
changes can appear without any symptoms.
That is why it is important to get Pap tests regularly.
- You should get a Pap test every 1 to 3 years.
Depending on your results, your doctor or nurse
may suggest getting tested more often.
- Abnormal Pap test results do not mean that you
have cancer. It may only mean that your doctor or
nurse needs to do more tests.
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National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Cancer Information Service
Offers information on cancer prevention and screening. Responds
to questions about cancer and to requests for free publications.
Free booklets that are available in print and online at
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening/cervical include:
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Talk with your doctor or nurse about how often you should
have a Pap test.
My next Pap test should be on:___________________________ |
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When talking
with your doctor
or nurse, be
sure to: