A pap smear (or pap test) is a screening for cervical cancer. It involves taking cells from the cervix and vagina and examining them under a microscope. The test is looking for cervical ...

Doctor talking with patient at desk in medical office via Getty. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is looking to update its recommendations for screening for cervical cancer. The task force has ...

The Food and Drug administration has approved the U.S.'s first at-home alternative to the Pap smear, a procedure generations of women have dreaded and often found painful. The new device by Teal ...

When it comes to preventative exams, they can often seem like an unnecessary bother or even just another item on the to-do list, but they're an opportunity to monitor your health and touch base with ...

There's no need to worry about grooming before a pap smear, doctors say, but there are other considerations to keep in mind. There's no need to worry about grooming before a pap smear, doctors say, ...

The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force has drafted a new recommendation for cervical cancer screening. The biggest change: Women ages 30 to 65 should get an HPV test every five years instead of a ...

An abnormal Pap smear means some percentage of your cervix cells appear abnormal in shape or size. In most cases, an abnormal Pap smear does not indicate cancer and is in fact caused by HPV. If you ...

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 ...

Maybe you had a bad experience with your last Pap smear and you’re wary of going back to the ob-gyn. Or maybe you’ve never had one before and are scared to make the appointment. It’s understandable to ...

Claire Gillespie is an experienced health and wellness writer. Her work appears across several publications including SELF, Women’s Health, Health, Vice, Headspace, and The Washington Post. A Pap ...

Original Medicare (parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage (part C) plans both fully cover regular PAP smears once every 24 months for most people as part of preventive health services. In addition, ...