Pap smears Aren’t Fun But Can Save Your Life by Preventing Cervical Cancer
No one wants to do it, but cancer screening exams save lives.
Let’s face it. No one wants to visit the gynecologist for an annual pap smear. This uncomfortable visit is not anyone’s favorite way to spend their free time. But regular pap smears for cervical cancer prevention save women’s lives.
In most cases, cervical cancer can be prevented through vaccination and proper cervical screening. But still, more than 13,000 US women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year.
Despite screening programs,
4,000 US women die from HPV-related cervical cancer each year.
What is the point of a pap smear?
A pap (Papanicolaou) smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. The cervix is the opening of the uterus located at the back of the vagina. During a pap smear, doctors place a device called a speculum into the vagina.
The speculum opens the walls of the vagina allowing a health provider to see the cervix…
