A pap smear is a procedure that tests for the presence of cancerous cells in the cervix. The cervix is the narrow end of the uterus that sits on top of the vagina. A pap smear is performed by taking a sample of the cells in the cervix and...
A Pap smear is a gynecological test used to evaluate cervical cells in women. During this cervical cancer screening test, which is also called a Pap test, a medical professional removes a small number of cells from a woman's cervix using a tiny...
An obstetrician/gynecologist gives a woman a Pap smear during her annual gynecological examination, which checks for abnormalities in her cervix. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that women get their yearly Pap smear by age 21 or...
If detected early enough by a Pap smear, there is a greater chance of a successful cure of cervical cancer. A pap smear essentially entails microscopic examination of cells scraped off your uterus to check for any unusual signs or abnormal...
Pap smears are generally done as part of a routine gynecological exam. With this test some of the cells on the surface of the cervix are removed using a swab and later examined using a microscope. This test looks for abnormal cells which could...
Moles and warts are two types of growths commonly found on the skin. Moles grow from cells called melanocytes, which give your skin its color. Warts are caused by the presence of a virus called human papillomavirus, or HPV. Although both types of...
A routine Pap smear may reveal abnormal cells, usually caused by HPV, on a woman's cervix. This condition, called cervical dysplasia, may lead to cancer. A loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) removes abnormal cells from the cervix. The...
Cervical dysplasia refers to the abnormal growth of cells on the cervix. The abnormal cells are classified into low-grade or high-grade lesions. The Pap smear test was designed to assess for cervical dysplasia, also known as cervical...
As your daughter goes through her teens, your relationship with her doctor will change. She will become more responsible for her health, and her checkups become focused on the issues and health concerns affecting teenagers. Encourage your...
Gynecologists (GYNs) perform many tests to diagnose problems within the female reproductive system; some are done yearly, others are done only if needed. Many diseases can be diagnosed by tests done in the gynecologist's office; most tests involve...
If your goal is to live well into your golden years, you can stack the odds in your favor by maintaining healthy habits and avoiding harmful ones. While your life expectancy can vary based on your family history, your lifestyle has a major impact...
What is a Pap Smear (or a Papanicolauo's Test)?
Pap smears, also called cervical smears, are very important for women who start having sex in their early teens. This may be because the young cervix is more vulnerable to cancerous changes when...
A pap smear is a gynecological test designed to detect premalignant and malignant processes in the cervix and uterus. Get tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating cervical and uterine cancer in this medical video.