Pap smears and HPV tests can catch issues early—long before they become cancer. Learn why these simple screenings matter and how to make the experience more comfortable.

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 ...

Medically reviewed by Khadeja Haye, MD Key Takeaways You can still get a Pap smear while on your period, but heavy bleeding might affect test accuracy.Light bleeding or spotting usually won't affect ...

A Pap smear involves a medical provider inserting a speculum into the vagina, then swabbing the cervix before sending the sample to a lab. A Pap smear involves a medical provider inserting a speculum ...

Cervical cancer screening is one of the best success stories in health care. Since the 1970s, the death rate from cervical cancer has dropped by more than half. "The goal of the screening is to detect ...

According to the Australian government's Department of Health website, performing a Pap smear on yourself is easy. This is because the sample is taken from your vagina — not your cervix (which is what ...

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, ...

Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans both cover regular PAP smears as part of preventive health services. PAP smears fall under the category of preventive health services. They help ...

Dr. Marie Savard explains the differences between a Pap smear and a DNA test. April 7, 2009— -- A DNA test that detects the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer, is more effective ...