UGH! papsmears!!!!....?

Question

okay, I am 23 years old and really have not a clue what the heck papsmears are for! The only thing I know (well, I THINK I know) is that they check for cervical cancer. What else?

Ive never known, nor have I asked. I was just told I needed to do it and so I do! lol. (embarassed to ask now at this age!)

btw, I have had paps before. I just never knew why and what they check for!

Answer 1

Why do I need a Pap test?

A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer - a common cancer in women. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing.

Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. About 13,000 women in America will find out they have cervical cancer this year. And in 2004, 3,500 women died from cervical cancer in the United States.

Answer 2

i worked as a nurse to help pay for grad school and did hundreds of papsmears. and it still looks uncomfortable for most when they get it. except for a couple af freeky deekies. primary purpose of a pap smear is to look for abnormal cells that may be a sign of a cancerous or precancerous condition . it's is well worth the moment of discomfort so try to relax it'll only take a second.

Answer 3

Yup, thats the main reason! Its too common, and if caught early, totally treatable, and if not, very life threatening. But they detect other things too, infections and such. And yes, we ladies need to do it every year; I've been going since I was 17, every year without fail.

Answer 4

it checks for STDs and STI as well.. it doesnt really hurt its just a slight pinch.. you only need it once or twice a year. im sure youll be fine. gl

Answer 5

Yes, they can also be used for infections upon other things as well.