During a Pap smear the most uncomfortable part will be when the doctor inserts a speculum into your vagina. However, the pain should be minimal and brief. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images A Pap smear is a ...

A pap smear (or pap test) is a screening for cervical cancer. It involves taking cells from the cervix and vagina and examining them under a microscope. The test is looking for cervical ...

A Pap Smear Test typically detects cell changes in your cervix that could lead to cervical cancer. This is an important ...

Maybe you had a bad experience with your last Pap smear and you’re wary of going back to the ob-gyn. Or maybe you’ve never had one before and are scared to make the appointment. It’s understandable to ...

You know the drill when it comes to Pap smears: Don the paper gown, slide to the edge of the table, etc. But what if, after an abnormal Pap smear, your doctor says they need to do a cervical biopsy?

New federal guidance is expanding testing for cervical cancer with a self-collection method. Dr. Mara Gordon speaks to NPR about why this option might become popular for screening for HPV.

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.