Doctors or females answer my question!?

Question

what is a pap smear? when do i have to get it? and why do i have to get it?

Answer 1

A pap smear (also known as the Pap test) is a medical procedure in which a sample of cells from a woman's cervix (the end of the uterus that extends into the vagina) is collected and spread (smeared) on a microscope slide. The cells are examined under a microscope in order to look for pre-malignant (before-cancer) or malignant (cancer) changes.
http://www.medicinenet.com/pap_smear/article.htm#toca

Answer 2

A Pap smear (also known as the Pap test) is a medical procedure in which a sample of cells from a woman's cervix (the end of the uterus that extends into the vagina) is collected and spread (smeared) on a microscope slide. The cells are examined under a microscope in order to look for pre-malignant (before-cancer) or malignant (cancer) changes.

A Pap smear is a simple, quick, and relatively painless screening test. Its specificity - which means its ability to avoid classifying a normal smear as abnormal -- while very good, is not perfect. The sensitivity of a Pap smear - which means its ability to detect every single abnormality -- while extremely good, is also not perfect. Thus, a few women develop cervical cancer despite having regular Pap screening.

In the vast majority of cases, a Pap test does identify minor cellular abnormalities before they have had a chance to become malignant and at a point when the condition is most easily treatable. The Pap smear is not intended to detect other forms of cancer such as those of the ovary, vagina, or uterus. Cancer of these organs may be discovered during the course of the gynecologic (pelvic) exam, which usually is done at the same time as the Pap smear.

Answer 3

A Pap smear, also known as a Papanicolaou test, is a routine test used to detect cancer of the cervix or abnormalities of the cervix that could lead to cancer. The main purpose of the Pap smear is to screen for these abnormalities, because if they are found early enough, a person can be given treatment to prevent cancer from developing. Who Needs a Pap Smear?
The American Cancer Society recommends that girls and women have their first Pap test about 3 years after they start having vaginal intercourse or no later than their 21st birthday, whichever comes first. After that, women should be screened annually or every 2 years, depending on the method used to examine the sample of cervical cells. Depending on your age, medical history, and other factors, your doctor will determine how frequently you should have a Pap smear. Many women have a Pap test each year as part of their annual gynecological exam. These yearly checkups may include a breast exam, a pelvic exam (an examination of both external and internal genital organs), and other routine tests.

Answer 4

A pap smear is a yearly exam that a gynecologist will perform. If you are over 18 or if you are sexually active under 18, you should get one yearly. Basically your doctor will insert a speculum into your vagina (might be a little uncomfortable) and scoop a little bit of tissue and send it to the lab. They want to make sure the cells look good. No abnormal ones, or precancerous cells. My doctor usually sends me a letter in the mail saying everything was fine. You need to get a yearly pap because early detection of any cancer yields the best chance of curing it. Don't wait, make an appointment if you are sexually active.

Answer 5

Ok, I'm not a doctor or a woman, but the first answer was an embarrassment to men and the second seemed a little too vague to answer your question properly. The purpose is to collect a culturable sample of vaginal tissue/secretion. The doctor will then order lab test to check for sexual and reproductive health and possibly for polyps or cervical cancer. When you would have to get one... I'm not entirely qualified to answer this, but I would imagine that after you have started to menstruate on a regular basis, once per year is a good rule of thumb. The why is simple, to maintain your health and live a long life and be able to have children if you choose to. I hope that this help answer your question a little more accurately and I hope that some reasonable women clarify anything that I may have missed.

Answer 6

you need to get pap smears when you start having sex or when you turn 21 (which ever is sooner) you get it to check for cervical cancer and other abnormities. As to what is a pap smear? I feel you should google it (search the web) to get a really good answer or ask your doctor.

Answer 7

General recommendations are that any woman who is sexually active get a pap smear at least every year to check for sexually transmitted disease and changes in the cells of your cervix that might indicate cancer. If you are not sexually active, then you should start getting yearly pap smears at the age of 18 or 21, depending on which guidelines you follow.

Remember, the great majority of cases of cervical cancer are actually caused by a virus - certain types of the human papilloma virus (HPV) which causes genital warts. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. Most cases of cervical cancer occur in young, sexually active women. . .pap smears help to detect early cases of cervical cancer and have already helped to save thousands of lives.

Answer 8

pap smear is when a gyno doctor insert a piece of paper looking thing to get a sample of skin from your cervix and you get it when you visit the gyno usually once a year. you get the pap smear so they can see of you have cervix cancer, if you are pregnant and other problem with the reprodictive organs.

Answer 9

A pap smear is when they use a little swab inside you to test to make sure that you dont have any diseases, cysts, cancer, etc. Its really not too bad. You need to get them once a year once you turn 18, or if you are sexually active before then, you need to start getting them. If you dont get one done, you could be putting yourself at risk. If you have a disease, its best if it is caught early. So its worth a few minutes of being uncomfortable. You're a chick, better get used to it, lol. Being a woman means dealing with a lot of uncomfortable stuff

Answer 10

A pap smear is a test to see if you have hpv, which causes cervical cancer. I'm not sure when you should start getting it, but I know you are supposed to get it every year after a certain year. You have to get it because it helps to predetermine if you might get cervical cancer and thus treat it before it is life threatening.