Can a pap smear detect cancer?

A Pap test can detect cervical cancer and changes in your cervical cells that may increase your risk of cervical cancer in the future. Very rarely, ovarian cancer cells can be detected during a Pap test. read more

Preliminary research suggests that the Pap smear can help doctors test for other gynecologic cancers besides cervical cancer, including ovarian and endometrial (uterine) cancers. Researchers are looking at more sophisticated methods of analyzing samples obtained from routine Pap smears. read more

During a Pap test, cells collected from the cervix are examined for signs of cancer. The DNA in the Pap sample may also be examined for human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer. The cervical fluid collected during the Pap test can also contain cells shed from the ovaries or the uterine lining (the endometrium). read more