Cervical cancer screening tests

Cervical cancer screening is used to detect changes in the cells of the cervix that could lead to cancer. Screening includes cervical cytology (also called a Pap test or Pap smear), testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), or both. It is advisable for most women to have regular cervical cancer screening, as cervical cancer can often be detected at an early stage and sometimes it can even be prevented with regular screening tests. If detected at an early stage, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully curable cancers.