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The Papanicolaou test (abbreviated as Pap test, also known as Pap smear (AE), [1] cervical smear (BE), cervical screening (BE), [2] or smear test (BE)) is a method of cervical screening used to detect potentially precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix (opening of the uterus or womb) or, more rarely, anus (in both men and women). [3]
"The recommendations for pap smears have recently changed from yearly to once every three to five years for women who are low risk," Dr. Landwermeyer says. "If you have had an abnormal pap smear ...
Peter Dazeley/Getty Images If you can’t remember when you had your last pap smear, there’s a chance you might be due for another. So how often should you get a pap smear, exactly? We asked Dr ...
Alternatively, people between the ages of 30 and 65 can also undergo a Pap smear every three years or get a combined HPV and Pap test every five years, according to the recommendations.
Normal cervical cells in a Pap smear. In the conventional Pap smear, the collected cells are smeared on a microscope slide, and a fixative is applied. The slide is evaluated in a pathology lab to identify cellular abnormalities. Accuracy of conventional cytology report: [10] sensitivity: 55% to 88%; specificity: 71% to 94%
Depending on patient's age or Pap smear result, HPV testing may also be performed. Sexually transmitted infection screening - Depending on age and risk factors, clinicians may recommend gonorrhea or chlamydia testing at the time of the well-woman exam. This sample can be collected via a swab of the cervix or vagina.
HPV screening — rather than a pap smear — is more effective at detecting cervical cancer, ... and 350,000 women died from it that same year. Read the original article on People.
Because of the link between HPV and cervical cancer, the ACS currently recommends early detection of cervical cancer in average-risk asymptomatic adults primarily with cervical cytology by Pap smear, regardless of HPV vaccination status. Women aged 30–65 should preferably be tested every 5 years with both the HPV test and the Pap test.