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Summary
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, the place where a baby grows during pregnancy. Cancer screening is looking for cancer before you have any symptoms. Cancer found early may be easier to treat.
Cervical cancer screening is usually part of a woman's health checkup. There are two types of tests: the Pap test and the HPV test. For both, the doctor or nurse collects cells from the surface of the cervix. With the Pap test, the lab checks the sample for cancer cells or abnormal cells that could become cancer later. With the HPV test, the lab checks for HPV infection. HPV is a virus that spreads through sexual contact. It can sometimes lead to cancer. If your screening tests are abnormal, your doctor may do more tests, such as a biopsy.
Cervical cancer screening has risks. The results can sometimes be wrong, and you may have unnecessary follow-up tests. There are also benefits. Screening has been shown to decrease the number of deaths from cervical cancer. You and your doctor should discuss your risk for cervical cancer, the pros and cons of the screening tests, at what age to start being screened, and how often to be screened.
Related Issues
- I Had a Hysterectomy. Do I Still Need to See My Ob-Gyn? Do I Still Need Pap Tests? (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
- Pap Smear: Do I Need One If I'm a Virgin? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Cervical Cancer Screening: Frequently Asked Questions (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
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Colposcopy
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
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Pap Smear
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Understanding Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Results (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- FastStats: Pap Tests (National Center for Health Statistics)
- Older Women May Not Get Needed Cervical Cancer Screenings (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Papanicolaou Test
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Vaginal Smears
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Cervical cancer screening and treatment costing in Senegal.
- Article: Attitude to cervical cancer screening and human papillomavirus testing experience in...
- Article: Effects of speculum lubrication on cervical smears for cervical cancer screening:...
- Cervical Cancer Screening -- see more articles
Reference Desk
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Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(National Cancer Institute) Also in Spanish
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society
- Choosing a Cancer Doctor (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
- Find a Screening Program Near You (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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National Cancer Institute
Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Pap Smears (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish