Routine Care & Wellness

What is Pap examination?

A Pap examination is usually performed at the time of a pelvic examination, which can help detect signs of cancer in female organs other than the cervix. A Pap examination is a simple procedure in which your physician painlessly obtains cells from the surface of your cervix, often using a special brush to sample the area where most cancers begin to develop. The cells are placed on a glass slide, which is sent to a laboratory.

At the laboratory, the cells are stained and then examined under a microscope by specially trained cytotechnologists. If an abnormality is found, a pathologist, a physician who specializes in laboratory medicine, studies the cells and makes the final interpretation.

The results of your Pap examination are reported to your doctor within several weeks. Many doctors notify patients of their examination results in writing or by telephone. Others ask patients to call the office for their results. No matter what your doctor's preference, it's important that you find out the results of your Pap examination.

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This information about Pap examination is used with permission and courtesy of the College of American Pathologists.