About Women's Health: Everything Pap Smears

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Women's Health Women's Health Topics A-Z Sexual Health Healthy Living From Tracee Cornforth, your Guide to Women's Health How To Prepare For Your Pap Smear Pap smears are an important screening tool for cervical cancer. All women should have annual Pap smears beginning at age 21, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Ensuring that you get the most accurate Pap smear results means being properly prepared for your annual pelvic exam. Follow these simple tips for more accurate Pap smear results. Abnormal Pap Smear Results The Pap smear test detects changes in the cervix, which may become cancer. However, having an abnormal Pap smear test result does not necessarily mean you have or will get cervical cancer. This is especially true for women who follow their doctor's recommendations for when to have the Pap smear test. What Is A Colposcopy? One of the most frightening times in a woman's life is when the gynecologist calls and says that her Pap smear results are abnormal. Although you might think an abnormal Pap smear means that you have cervical cancer, the fact is that the majority of abnormal Pap smears are not caused by cervical cancer. The more likely cause of abnormal Pap smear results is inflammation or a vaginal infection. HPV and Cervical Cancer Twenty-four million Americans may have the human papillomavirus (HPV) and yet more than 76% US women have never heard of this sexually transmitted virus which causes approximately 93% of all cervical cancers. Women's Health Ads Woman Health Issues Sexual Health OBGYN Menopause Doctors Weight Health Featured Articles Cryosurgery Of The Cervix What Is The LEEP Procedure? Should I Have Pap Smears After Hysterectomy? Video: GYN Exam and Pap Smear Video: Detecting Cervical Dysplasia Must Have Medical Tests For Women   More from About.com Managing Dog Behavior Problems Understanding common dog behavior problems like barking, biting, and chewing is key to handling them appropriately. More > Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More > This newsletter is written by: Tracee Cornforth Women's Health Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Women's Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Must Reads Going to the Gynecologist Menstruation Basics Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms Birth Control Myths Top Causes of Heavy Menstruation Advertisement