The Pap test is one of the most important tests for women to get regularly. The Pap test is used to detect abnormal cells on your cervix, which could turn into cervical cancer if left untreated. The goal of this article will be to explain why a pap smear is so important and how it works!
Used To Detect Abnormal Cells On Your Cervix
A pap test is an important test for young women to get regularly because it can help detect precancerous changes in their cervix before they develop into full-blown cervical cancer, says Dr Joy Trueblood. A woman’s cervix is the opening at the bottom of her uterus (womb). The uterus has two openings: one leads from the bladder and urethra, and this is called the vagina; the other leads from a tube called a fallopian tube that carries eggs from ovaries to womb, and this opening is called an ostium (which means “neck”).
The normal cells on a woman’s cervix should look like tiny balls under a microscope–this appearance is called squamous cells. If these cells change form, they become flat-topped irregularly shaped cells called glandular cells or dysplasia (abnormal growth) which can lead to cancer if not treated early enough!
They Are Best Used For Detecting Precancerous Changes In The Cervix
A pap test is a simple procedure that allows your doctor to examine the cells of your cervix. The cells are collected using a cotton swab and sent to a lab for analysis. The results can indicate if there are any changes in the cervix that may lead to cancer, or if it’s normal.
Dr Joy Trueblood If you are over 30 years old and have had three consecutive negative Pap tests, it’s recommended that you only need one more yearly exam every three years after that until age 65 (or later if advised by your doctor).