Pap Test

“The Pap test (also called a Pap smear or cervical cytology)
collects cervical cells so they can be checked for changes
caused by HPV that may—if left untreated—turn into…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Pap Test Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cervical Screening Procedure/Test
  • Pap Smear
  • Pap Smear Test
  • Pap Test
  • Smear Test

Pap Test

What is a Pap test?

DotS the definition of a Pap test may vary. In Cervical Cancer Screening: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening? the (United States) National Institute of Cancer’s (NCI) definition is:

Pap Test“The Pap test (also called a Pap smear or cervical cytology) collects cervical cells so they can be checked for changes caused by HPV that may—if left untreated—turn into cervical cancer. It can find precancerous cells and cervical cancer cells. A Pap test also sometimes finds conditions that are not cancer, such as infection or inflammation”.2

Ovarian Cancer

Does a Pap test screen for ovarian cancer?

In Ovarian Cancer: Screening for Ovarian Cancer – What To Know the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note:

“The Pap test does not screen for ovarian cancer”.3

Uterine Cancer

Does a Pap test screen for uterine cancer?

In Uterine Cancer: Screening for Uterine Cancer – What To Know the CDC also note:

“The Pap test does not screen for uterine cancer”.4

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Does a Pap test screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

In Sexually Transmitted Infections: Does A Pap Test Screen for STIs? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov explain:

“No. Pap testing is mainly used to look for cell changes that could be cancer or precancer. However, your doctor may test you for HPV in addition to doing the Pap test if you are older than 30.

If you want to be tested for STIs, you must ask your doctor or nurse”.5

In STD Testing: What’s Right for You? the (United States) Mayo Clinic also caution:

“Don’t assume that you’re receiving STI testing every time you have a pelvic exam or Pap test. If you think that you need STI testing, talk to your health care provider. Tell your provider about your concerns and what tests you would like or need”.6

HIV

Does a Pap test screen for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?

No. In HIV and AIDS: Diagnosis the NHS note:

“The only way to find out if you have HIV is to have an HIV test, as symptoms of HIV may not appear for many years. Anyone who thinks they could have HIV should get tested”.7

Early Detection

Is there an association between the early detection of cervical cancer and regular Pap tests.

In Cervical Cancer the ACS explain:

“Cervical cancer can often be found early, and sometimes even prevented entirely, by having regular Pap tests. If detected early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers”.8

Not Screened

Is there an association between cervical cancer and not having regular Pap Tests?

In Cervical Cancer: Cervical Cancer Early Detection and Prevention – The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer: Importance of Being Screened for Cervical Cancer the ACS note:

“Despite the benefits of cervical cancer screening, not all American women get screened. Most cervical cancers are found in women who have never had a Pap test or who have not had one recently. Women without health insurance and women who have recently immigrated are less likely to have cervical cancer screening”.9

Start. Frequency. Stop

Can when to start, the frequency and when to stop Pap tests, vary?

Yes. Depending on You (DoY), DotS and/or Depending on Your Country’s (DoYC’s) cervical cancer screening program, when to start, stop and the frequency of Pap tests can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you in your Country.

 

Pap Test

Screening Program

Where may women find information about cervical cancer screening or early detection programs?

Women may find information about cervical cancer screening or early detection programs from their health care provider or their country’s equivalent of a local community health center or a national and/or state Department/Center/Institute of Aging/Cancer/Disease Control and Prevention/Health/Human Services.

Your country may have a program similar to Australia’s, the United Kingdom’s or the United States’ cervical cancer screening or early detection programs.

Screening Program Example

What is the United States’ cervical cancer screening program?

In National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You the CDC explain:

“CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured”.10

Health Care Provider

When may women stop having regular Pap tests?

DoY, DotS and/or DoYC’s cervical cancer screening program, when women may stop regular Pap tests can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you.

In Pap Smear: Why It’s Done the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

“Recommendations for cervical cancer screening may depend on your age: …

  • After age 65: Consider stopping cervical cancer screening after discussing your health history and risk factors with your healthcare professional. If your cervical cancer screening tests haven’t found anything that’s not typical, you may choose to stop the screening tests”.11

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Pap Tests?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Pap Tests?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  30. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer: The HPV Test
  31. Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer: The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test
  32. Cervical Cancer: Prevention of Cervical Cancer: The Cervical Cancer Vaccine – Do You Still Need To Have Pap Smear Tests If You Have Had the Vaccine?
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    Pap Tests
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  75. Mayo Clinic Minute: Cervical Cancer Screening  [+ Video Courtesy Mayo Clinic News Network]
  76. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Black Women Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer [25 January 2024] [+ Video Courtesy Mayo Clinic News Network]
  77. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) [United States]
  78. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) [United States]: Find A Screening Program Near You
  79. National Cervical Cancer Coalition [United States]
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  90. Toolkit for Reducing Cervical Cancer Risk
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  92. What To Think About If You Test Positive for HPV
  93. World GO Day [World Gynecologic Oncology Day, 20 September 2024]
    Pap Tests Pap Tests
  94. World Ovarian Cancer Day May 8, 2025
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Cervical Cancer Screening: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening? Updated: 17 May 2024. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/cervical/Patient/page3 Accessed: 31 December 2024
  2. Cervical Cancer Screening: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening? Updated: 17 May 2024. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/cervical/Patient/page3 Accessed: 31 December 2024
  3. Ovarian Cancer: Screening for Ovarian Cancer – What To Know. 09 September 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/ovarian-cancer/screening/ Accessed: 31 December 2024
  4. Uterine Cancer: Screening for Uterine Cancer – What To Know. 09 September 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/uterine-cancer/screening/ Accessed: 31 December 2024
  5. Sexually Transmitted Infections: Does A Pap Test Screen for STIs? Page Last Updated: 23 December 2024. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections Accessed: 31 December 2024
  6. STD Testing: What’s Right for You? 14 April 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-testing/art-20046019 Accessed: 31 December 2024
  7. HIV and AIDS: Diagnosis. Page Last Reviewed: 22 April 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/diagnosis/ Accessed: 31 December 2024
  8. Cervical Cancer. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/index Accessed: 31 December 2024
  9. Cervical Cancer: Cervical Cancer Early Detection and Prevention – The American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Prevention and Early Detection of Cervical Cancer: Importance of Being Screened for Cervical Cancer. Last Revised: 22 April 2021. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html Accessed: 31 December 2024
  10. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You. 19 December 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cervical-cancer-screening/about/screenings.html Accessed: 31 December 2024
  11.  Pap Smear: Why It’s Done. 20 July 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/about/pac-20394841 Accessed: 31 December 2024
Topic Last Updated: 31 December 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 31 December 2024

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