A Pap smear is a screening procedure for cancer of the cervix. It tests for the presence of precancerous or cancerous cells on your cervix. The cervix is the opening of the uterus and is located at the top of the vagina.
During the routine procedure, cells from your cervix are gently scraped away and examined for abnormal growth. The procedure is done during a gynaecological examination at the doctor’s office. It may be mildly uncomfortable but is not usually painful.
During the examination of the vagina, a speculum is inserted and opened slightly. The vagina and the cervix are examined. Cells are gently scraped from the cervix area. The sample of cells is sent to a lab for examination. Some patients experience very slight bleeding from the cervix after the test is done. This normally disappears in 24 hrs.