What is the test ?
Screening for cervical cancer involves a Pap smear test.
Why do the test ?
Cervical cancer is the cancer of the neck of the womb (cervix). If detected early, this can be easily treated.
Who should do the test ?
All women who have had sexual intercourse should have their first Pap smear by 25 years of age. You can stop taking the Pap smear test after 65 years of age if your Pap smear taken at 65 years old and the Pap smears taken previously have been normal.
How is the test done ?
The Pap smear is a simple procedure where the doctor or nurse obtains some scrapings from the cervix using a speculum and sends them for examination under the microscope.
