A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in women. A Pap smear involves collecting cells from your cervix — the lower, narrow end of your uterus that’s at the top of your vagina.
The Pap smear looks for pre-cancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes. Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure.
Women should start Pap smear screening at age 21. Between the ages of 21-29, women whose Pap smears are normal only need it repeated every three years. Women ages 30 and over should have testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) with their Pap smear as HPV is the cause of cervical cancer. Doctors generally recommend repeating Pap testing every three years for women ages 21 to 65.
Women over the age of 65 with a history of normal Pap smear results may be able to stop having the test. Also women who have had a total hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus including the cervix) should ask their doctors if they need to continue having Pap smears. If the hysterectomy was performed for a noncancerous condition, such as uterine fibroids, Pap Smears may be discontinued. But if the hysterectomy was for a precancerous or cancerous condition of the cervix, doctors may recommend continuing routine Pap testing.
Doctors may recommend women who have certain risk factors to do more frequent Pap smears, regardless of age. These risk factors include:
A diagnosis of cervical cancer or a Pap smear that showed precancerous cells
Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth
HIV infection
Weakened immune system due to organ transplant, chemotherapy or chronic corticosteroid use
A history of smoking
But apart from cancer, there are some STIs that can be diagnosed by Pap smear such as trichomoniasis, HPV infection, herpes genitalis, candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. You should still get regular Pap smears based on your age, regardless of your sexual activity status. That’s because the HPV virus can be dormant for years and then suddenly become active.