“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:

Ovarian Cancer
Does a Pap test screen for ovarian cancer?
In Gynecologic Cancers: Ovarian Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note:
“The Pap test does not check for ovarian cancer. The only cancer the Pap test screens for is cervical cancer”.3
Uterine Cancer
Does a Pap test screen for uterine cancer?
In Gynecologic Cancers: Uterine Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening? the CDC explain:
“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:
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:
Early Detection
Is there an association between the early detection of cervical cancer and regular Pap tests.
In Cervical Cancer the ACS explain:
Not Screened
Is there an association between cervical cancer and not having regular Pap Tests?
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.
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:
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: Who Can Consider Stopping Pap Smears? the (United States) Mayo Clinic note:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Pap Tests?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
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.New or Updated
- 4 Ways To Reduce Cervical Cancer
- About HPV and Cervical Cancer
- Atypical Cells: Are They Cancer?
- Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer Awareness [+ Video]
- Cervical Cancer Awareness: Screening Tests
- Cervical Cancer Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention
- Cervical Cancer FAQs
- Cervical Cancer Overview
- Cervical Cancer Prevention Week [23 – 29 Jan 23, United Kingdom]
- Cervical Cancer Risks and Causes
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version [+ Images]
- Cervical Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: What Is Screening? [+ Images]
- Cervical Cancer Screening – Multiply Languages
- Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap and HPV Tests
- Cervical Cancer Symptoms
- Cervical Cancer Treatment (PDQ)–Patient Version
- Cervical Cancer [+ Video Courtesy Mayo Clinic]
- Cervical Cancer – Multiply Languages
- Cervical Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention – Can Cervical Cancer Be Prevented?
- Cervical Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention – What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?
- Cervical Cancer: Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
- Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging
- Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer: The HPV Test
- Cervical Cancer: Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging – Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer: The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test
- 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?
- Cervical Cancer: Screening
- Cervical Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer? Lack of Regular Cervical Screening Tests
- Cervical Cancer–Patient Version
- Cervical Health Awareness Month [January, United States]
- Cervical Screening
- Cervical Screening (Smear Test)
- Cervical Screening Awareness Week [19-24 June 2023, United Kingdom]
- Cervical Screening Test [Australia]
- Cervical Screening for Trans Men and/or Non-Binary People
- Cervical Screening: Leaflet for Women Considering Screening [Multiply Languages] [United Kingdom]
- Cervical Screening: More Information About Cervical Screening – Cervical Screening [Video]
- Cervical Screening: Programme Overview [United Kingdom]
- Cervical Screening: Smear Test
- Cervical Screening: What Is Cervical Screening? How Cervical Screening Is Done [Video]
- Cervical Screening: Why It’s Important
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Consumer Health: Cervical Cancer and HPV — What’s the Connection?
- Consumer Health: Understanding Cervical Cancer Risk
- Consumer Health: What Is A Pap Smear, and Who Needs One?
- Do You Know the Difference Between A Pap Test and A Pelvic Exam?
- FAQs: Cervical Cancer
- FAQs: Cervical Cancer Screening
- Facts and Tips for Cervical Screening
- Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer
- Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – Basic Information About Cervical Cancer
- Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – What Are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?
- Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – What Can I Do To Reduce My Risk of Cervical Cancer?
- Gynecologic Cancers: Cervical Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening?
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- HPV Awareness Day [+ Video]
- HPV Infection: How Does It Cause Cervical Cancer?
- HPV Vaccine: Who Needs It, How It Works
- HPV Vaccines
- HPV and Cancer
- HPV and Pap Testing
- HPV and Pap Testing: Do Women Who Have Been Vaccinated Against HPV Still Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer?
- HPV and Pap Testing: How Is Cervical Cancer Screening Done?
- HPV and Pap Testing: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening?
- HPV and Pap Testing: When Should A Woman Begin Cervical Cancer Screening, and How Often Should She Be Screened
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV Infection
- Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
- Hysterectomy: I’ve Had A Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need To Have Pap Tests?
- International HPV Awareness Day 04 Mar 2023 [+ One Less Worry Video]
- Is It Time for Your Screen Test? [+ Video]
- Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust [United Kingdom]
- Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust [United Kingdom]: Our Videos
- Let’s Talk About…Smear Tests When You Have Endometriosis
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Black Women Need To Be Screened for Cervical Cancer [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You
- National Cervical Cancer Coalition [United States]
- National Cervical Screening Program [Australia]
- Pap Smear
- Pap Smear: Do I Need One If I’m A Virgin?
- Prevent Cervical Cancer
- The Cervix
- The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test
- Videos About Gynecologic Cancers: “Under the Paper Gown” With Amber Ruffin | Episode 1
- Women’s Wellness: Still Need A Pap Smear After Hysterectomy?
- World Ovarian Cancer Day
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Cervical Cancer Screening: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening? Updated: 27 April 2023. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/cervical/Patient/page3 Accessed: 31 August 2023
- Cervical Cancer Screening: What Is Cervical Cancer Screening? Updated: 27 April 2023. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/cervical/Patient/page3 Accessed: 31 August 2023
- Gynecologic Cancers: Ovarian Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening? Last Reviewed: 04 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ovarian/basic_info/screening.htm Accessed: 31 August 2023
- Gynecologic Cancers: Uterine Cancer – What Should I Know About Screening? Last Reviewed: 14 June 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uterine/basic_info/screening.htm Accessed: 31 August 2023
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Does A Pap Test Screen for STIs? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. 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 August 2023
- 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 August 2023
- HIV and AIDS: Diagnosis. Page Last Reviewed: 22 April 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/diagnosis/ Accessed: 31 August 2023
- Cervical Cancer. American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervicalcancer/index Accessed: 31 August 2023
- 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 August 2023
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You. Last Reviewed: 28 March 2023. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm Accessed: 31 August 2023
- Pap Smear: Who Can Consider Stopping Pap Smears? 18 June 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pap-smear/about/pac-20394841 Accessed: 31 August 2023