A **Pap smear**, also known as a **Papanicolaou test**, is a screening procedure used to detect abnormal cells in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The primary goal of a Pap smear is to identify changes in cervical cells that may indicate precancerous or cancerous conditions, particularly **cervical cancer**, and to detect other infections or abnormalities. ### Procedure: During a Pap smear, a healthcare provider uses a speculum to widen the vaginal canal and access the cervix. They then collect a small sample of cervical cells using a spatula, brush, or swab. The collected cells are placed on a glass slide or in a liquid medium and sent to a laboratory for microscopic examination. ### Purpose and Benefits: - **Early Detection**: Identifies cellular changes before they progress to cancer, allowing for early intervention. - **Screening for HPV**: Often combined with an HPV test, as persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer. - **Monitoring**: Useful for tracking changes in women with a history of cervical abnormalities. ### Recommendations: - Women aged 21 to 65 should undergo Pap smears at regular intervals, typically every three years, or every five years if combined with HPV testing, depending on age and medical history. The Pap smear is a cornerstone of preventive healthcare, significantly reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality through early detection and treatment.

We provide blood tests in Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Delhi, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, , Greater Noida, and Greater Noida Extension(west).