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Why cervical screening is important. Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer. How cervical screening helps prevent cancer. Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and helps find any abnormal changes before they can turn into cancer.
- Your Results
Important Having a positive HPV result does not mean your...
- How to Book
Important: If you missed an appointment If you were invited...
- Further Help and Support
Media last reviewed: 4 May 2023 Media review due: 4 May 2026
- When You'll Be Invited
When you'll be invited for cervical screening; Age When...
- What Happens at Your Appointment
Important You're in control of the cervical screening test...
- HPV
Important You do not have to have sexual contact with a lot...
- Your Results
- Overview
- Why It's Done
- Risks
- How You Prepare
- What You Can Expect
- Results
A Pap smear is a procedure that involves collecting cells from the cervix for testing. It also is called a Pap test. Healthcare professionals sometimes call it cervical cytology. A Pap test is often used to look for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the ...
A Pap smear looks for cervical cancer. It's one option for cervical cancer screening in anyone who has a cervix. A Pap smear also is called a Pap test. The Pap test usually is done at the same time as a pelvic exam. During a pelvic exam, a healthcare professional checks the reproductive organs. Sometimes the Pap test may be combined with a test for...
A Pap smear is a safe way to screen for cervical cancer. Still, a Pap smear, also called a Pap test, isn't always accurate. It's possible to receive a false-negative result. This means that cancer cells or other concerning cells are present, but the test doesn't find them. A false-negative result doesn't mean that a mistake was made. A false-negati...
To ensure that your Pap smear is most effective, follow your healthcare professional's instructions about how to prepare. Before a Pap smear, also called a Pap test, you may be asked to: 1. Avoid intercourse, douching, or using any vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies for two days before having a Pap test. These may wash away o...
During the test
A Pap smear is performed in a healthcare professional's office. A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, typically takes only a few minutes. You may be asked to undress completely or only from the waist down. You'll lie down on your back on an exam table with your knees bent. Your heels rest in footrests called stirrups. Your healthcare professional will gently put an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum holds the walls of your vagina apart so that your cervix is easily see...
After the test
After your Pap test, you can go about your day as usual. Ask your healthcare professional when you can expect the results of your test.
Pap smear results may be ready in 1 to 3 weeks. Ask your healthcare professional when you can expect the results of your Pap smear, which is also called a Pap test.
Mar 29, 2024 · Why Is a Pap Smear Done? A Pap smear looks for changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you have cancer, finding it early gives you the best chance of fighting it.
Sep 27, 2021 · The main purpose of a Pap smear test is to identify cellular changes in the cervix, which could be caused by HPV. By detecting cervical cancer cells early with a Pap smear, treatment...
Pap smears are a lifesaving screening tool for cervical cancer. The test can detect abnormal cells in your cervix before they become cancerous. Healthcare providers often perform HPV tests during Pap tests to check for HPV, one of the leading causes of cervical cancer.
Oct 25, 2021 · 1. Who’s it for? Cervical screening is for everyone with a cervix, regardless of sexual or gender identity. This includes women, some transgender men and some non-binary people. In the UK it’s offered to those aged 25 to 64. And you’ll need to be registered as female with a doctor to be invited.
Cervical screening. What is cervical screening? All women aged 25 to 64 are invited by letter to cervical screening to check the health of their cervix. Cervical screening used to be called a smear test. Everyone with a cervix should go for cervical screening. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina.
