Dr. Marie Savard explains the differences between a Pap smear and a DNA test. April 7, 2009— -- A DNA test that detects the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer, is more effective ...

During a Pap smear, the medical provider swabs the patient's cervix to collect a cell sample. The cell sample is then sent to a lab, where pathologists analyze the sample under a microscope to check ...

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to remind ourselves that routine screenings are a critical part of our wellness routines. Cervical cancer is among the most preventable ...

Medically reviewed by Khadeja Haye, MD Key Takeaways You can still get a Pap smear while on your period, but heavy bleeding ...

If you own a cervix, you’re probably familiar with that awkward feeling of lying on a cold examination table with your feet up in stirrups and legs spread eagle while your physician scraps your inner ...

The FDA has approved a new at-home test for cervical cancer screening that could make early detection more accessible for ...

Do you have a medical question you'd like to get a doctor's answer honest answer to? Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician in Camden, N.J., answers reader health questions monthly. Write us at ...

The HPV vaccine does not replace Pap smears. Vaccination and screening must go hand in hand. The HPV vaccine protects against ...

When doctors think about tests that might cause sticker shock for their patients, they wouldn't normally consider a simple Pap smear. Pap smears are routine tests that doctors use to screen patients ...