DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I've had several abnormal Pap smears, and I'm worried about getting cervical cancer. How often should I be getting a Pap smear? Are there things I can do to prevent cervical cancer?

The pap smear (or pap test) is one of the cornerstones of women's health. It was introduced in the 1940's as a way to screen for abnormal cervical cells. Starting at the age of 21 women are ...

Editor's note: anyone with a cervix can get a Pap smear, but for this article, we included sources who generally referred to these people as women. Going to the doctor for any type of exam can feel ...

B O S T O N, March 20 -- How do women know that when they get their Pap smear it is being diagnosed correctly? Well, most of the time pathology technicians and doctors get it right. But despite the ...

Women over 21 years old should be getting a Pap smear every three years. It's a crucial test that looks for cervical cancer. It can be a little uncomfortable — but it's over in a few seconds. Cervical ...

A pap smear, sometimes called a pap test, is a procedure that screens for cervical cancer — and is typically done during an annual well-woman visit with a gynecologist. In this article, we discuss how ...

A new study published in JAMA found a higher rate of detection with HPV tests. Although most women are accustomed to having Pap smears to test for cervical cancer -- a disease that strikes 12,000 ...