: a method for the early detection of cancer especially of the uterine cervix that involves the staining of exfoliated cells using a special technique which differentiates diseased tissue
called also Papanicolaou smear, Papanicolaou test, Pap test
Examples of Pap smear in a Sentence
She has a Pap smear done every year.
Recent Examples on the Web
During a Pap smear, cells are gently scraped from the cervix and examined under a microscope to check for signs of dysplasia, which can result from HPV infection.
—
Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
Your doctor may also perform a pelvic exam, Pap smear, endometrial biopsy and transvaginal ultrasound to determine the cause of the bleeding and to exclude more concerning conditions.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
Get a Pap smear every three years from ages 21 to 29.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Cervical Cancer Screening Two common cervical screening tests performed by a healthcare provider include HPV testing and a Pap smear.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 12 Jan. 2025
Your healthcare provider may also want to perform a Pap smear.
—Jess Sims, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
Many women skip screenings because the traditional screening method, often referred to as a Pap smear (fun fact: it also hasn’t been updated in nearly a century), is invasive, inconvenient and uncomfortable.
—Mallory Walsh, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Typically, screening for HPV in patients involves a Pap smear, also known as a Pap test.
—Sony Salzman, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2024
The United States Preventative Service Task Force advises people with cervixes to get their first Pap smear at age 21 and once every three years after that.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024
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Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
Your doctor may also perform a pelvic exam, Pap smear, endometrial biopsy and transvaginal ultrasound to determine the cause of the bleeding and to exclude more concerning conditions.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
Get a Pap smear every three years from ages 21 to 29.
—Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Cervical Cancer Screening Two common cervical screening tests performed by a healthcare provider include HPV testing and a Pap smear.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 12 Jan. 2025
Your healthcare provider may also want to perform a Pap smear.
—Jess Sims, Health, 26 Dec. 2024
Many women skip screenings because the traditional screening method, often referred to as a Pap smear (fun fact: it also hasn’t been updated in nearly a century), is invasive, inconvenient and uncomfortable.
—Mallory Walsh, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Typically, screening for HPV in patients involves a Pap smear, also known as a Pap test.
—Sony Salzman, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2024
The United States Preventative Service Task Force advises people with cervixes to get their first Pap smear at age 21 and once every three years after that.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pap smear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pap%20smear. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Pap smear
noun
: a test for the early detection of cancer especially of the cervix of the uterus using cells that are shed or scraped off and stained in a special way
called also Pap test
Medical Definition
Pap smear
noun
: a method or a test based on it for the early detection of cancer especially of the uterine cervix that involves staining exfoliated cells by a special technique which differentiates diseased tissue
called also Papanicolaou smear, Papanicolaou test, Pap test
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