"Pap smear or cytology—collects cells so they can be
checked for changes caused by the human
papillomavirus, the most common
transmitted infection in the United States." says Jessica Rubin, MD, an OB/GYN with Northwell Health.
“HPV causes almost all cases of said cancer, and you’re not at risk of HPV until you’ve been active.
When you’re younger, your immune system is so healthy, you’re more likely to clear the virus on your own,” notes Rubin.
"Pap tests (or Pap smears) look for cancers and precancers. Precancers are cell
changes that can be caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). If not treated, these abnormal
cells could lead to cancer." -Dolly Penn, M.D., M.S.C.R., Medical Officer, Healthcare Assessment Research Branch, Healthcare Delivery Research Program,
Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute; and Abbey B. Berenson, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, Professor of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch