A Pap smear is a procedure that screens for cervical cancer by testing cells for any abnormalities. If your Pap results are abnormal that does not mean you have cancer, and more likely indicates HPV.

More than 13,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer this year A routine pap exam can help women lower their risk of developing cervical cancer It's important to ...

If you’ve been getting your annual well visits at the gyno (as you should be), you’re likely well familiar with Pap smears, which look for abnormal changes on your cervix and can indicate a human ...

Amanda Gardner is a health reporter whose stories have appeared in cnn.com, health.com, cnn.com, WebMD, HealthDay, Self Magazine, the New York Daily News, Teachers & Writers Magazine, the Foreign ...

People should avoid having sex for 2 days before a Pap smear, as sex can cause a discharge that may affect the result. People should also avoid douching, applying any contraception or medication ...