Pap Tests

A HEALTHY HABIT FOR YOU

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health • National Cancer Institute

My appointment for a Pap test

Date ___________________________________________________

Time ___________________________________________________

Place ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Telephone ______________________________________________

Call your family doctor or local medical

clinic TODAY for a Pap test appointment.

NIH Publication No. 03-3213

Printed September 2003

(RL-3)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PAP TEST 

Visit the National Cancer Institute's Web site at www.cancer.gov 

or call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service

at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). TTY: 1-800-332-8615.
6. Where do I get a Pap test? 

• Doctor's office 

• Medical clinic 

7. If I've gone through menopause, do I still need a

Pap test?

Most women still need to get Pap tests. This decision depends

on your age and past Pap test results. Talk with your doctor

about what is right for you.

8. If I've had a hysterectomy, do I still need a Pap

test?

After a hysterectomy, you still need to get a Pap test if: 

• You had a partial hysterectomy (an operation that removed

the uterus but not the cervix) 

• You had a total hysterectomy (an operation that removed

the uterus and the cervix) to treat cervical cancer or a

condition that might lead to cancer 

You may not need to get Pap tests if you have had a total

hysterectomy for other reasons (e.g., fibroids). Talk with your

doctor about what is right for you.

9. When can I stop getting Pap tests? 

If you are age 65 or older, talk with your doctor about whether

you still need to get Pap tests. You and your doctor can decide

what testing schedule is right for you based on your past Pap

test results. 

10. A Pap test is important to me because it can:

• Find abnormal cervical cell changes before they have a

chance to become cancerous. 

• Tell if you have cancer of the cervix early—while it's still

easier to cure. 

1. What is a Pap test? 

The Pap test is used to find cell changes in the cervix. It can find

problems that can be treated before they turn into cervical

cancer. A Pap test also can find cancer early. If cervical cancer is

found early, it's easier to cure.

2. How is a Pap test done? 

A Pap test is done during a pelvic exam. You will lie on an exam

table with a sheet over your legs and stomach. Next, you’ll put

your feet on the holders called stirrups and let your knees fall to

the side. A nurse or doctor uses a plastic or metal instrument

called a speculum to look inside your vagina. He or she then

uses a small, soft brush to take a few cells from your cervix

(opening to the womb). This test takes only a few seconds. A lab

will check these cells for cancer or other problems. Your doctor

may also do an HPV test at this time.

3. What is an HPV test? Do I need one?

Almost all cervical cancers are caused by viruses called HPVs

(Human Papillomaviruses). If your Pap test results are unclear,

your doctor may want to perform an HPV test. Having an HPV

test is like having a pap test. If you are over age 30, talk with

your doctor to learn if an HPV test is right for you. 

4. What else happens during a pelvic exam? 

The nurse or doctor will look at your vaginal area to see if you

have any signs of infection or other problems. After the Pap test,

the nurse or doctor will check your tubes, ovaries, and uterus

(womb) by putting two gloved fingers inside your vagina. With

her other hand, she will feel from the outside for any lumps or

tenderness. This takes only a few minutes. Once the exam is

over, you can get dressed. 

5. Could I have cervical cancer and not know it?

YES—often cervical cancer causes no symptoms or pain.

• Local health department 

• Student health services