Pap Smear Questions & Answers:
Q: What is a pap smear/pap test?
A: A cervical test for cancer or abnormality, where a “smear” of exfoliated cells are tested.
Q: Should I have one?
A: All women are encouraged to take the test, especially women over 18, or women who are sexually active.
Q: Why do I need one?
A: A pap test could save your life, it can detect cancer and other problems.
Q: How often should I have a pap test?
A: You should talk to your doctor, he/she may recommend the test every year or perhaps every 1-3 years.
Q: What does an “abnormal” pap smear mean?
A: In worst cases, an abnormal test could mean cancer, but this is NOT always the case.
You should talk to your doctor to find out what your “abnormal” test results mean.
: What does a false positive result mean?
A: A pap test in NOT 100% percent accurate, and false positive results may mean more tests are needed or that your cells are normal and the test was faulty. A false negative usually means there is a change in your healthy cells and should be discussed with your doctor.