The Pap smear is used to check changes in the cervix (the neck of the womb) at the top of the vagina. It is a screening tool to find early warning signs that cancer might develop in the future.

The Pap smear is a simple procedure. Cells are collected from the cervix and placed (smeared) onto a slide. The slide is sent to a laboratory where the cells are tested for anything unusual. If abnormal changes are found at screening, further tests will be done to see if treatment is needed.

The Pap smear is not for diagnosing cancer, but rather, for finding early changes which might become cancer.

All women aged between 18 and 70 years who have ever been sexually active should have a Pap test every two years. This includes women who have had the cervical cancer vaccine.

Pap Tests are still important after some types of hysterectomy.  Women still need regular pap tests if they:

• stlll have a cervix
• had a hysterectomy as part of treatment for gynaecological cancer
• have ever had a significant abnormality on a pap test
• have never had a pap test

Info Code: PAPUMAL89