According to Wikipedia.org, PAP SMEAR is a screening test used in gynecology to detect premalignant and malignant (cancerous) processes in the ectocervix. This test was invented by and named after the prominent Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou.
You should do the PAP SMEAR test with your reliable doctor. Here is some procces of PAP SMEAR test :
The doctor inserts a speculum into the patient's vagina, to allow access to the cervix. Samples are collected from the outer opening of the cervix using some "sterile" kind of spatula and an "endocervical" brush, or (more frequently with the advent of liquid-based cytology) a plastic-fronded broom. The broom is not as good a collection device, since it is much less effective at collecting endocervical material than the spatula and brush. Then the sample are placed on a glass slide and checked for abnormalities in the laboratory.
After your doctor do the "laboratory" test, you will get your report. You may get one of the following :
1. Normal Pap smear means that all the cells in your cervix are normal and healthy. There is nothing to worry about.
2. An abnormal Pap smear (if you got this second diagnosis, you should be worry)
- Inflammation (irritation). This can be caused by an infection of the cervix, including a yeast infection, infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) the herpes virus or many other infections.
- Abnormal cells. Usually called cervical dysplasia. This cells are not cancer cells, but may be precancerous (which means it could eventually turn into cancer).
- More serious signs of cancer. Usually affect the top layers of the cervix but don't go beyond the cervix.
- More advanced cancer.