A pelvic examination, also pelvic exam, is a physical examination of the female pelvic organs. The Papanicolaou test (also called Pap smear, Pap test, cervical smear, or smear test) is a screening test used in gynecology to detect premalignant and malignant (cancerous) processes in the endocervical canal (transformation zone). Changes can be treated, thus preventing cervical cancer. The test was invented by and named after the prominent Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou. An anal Pap smear is an adaptation of the procedure to screen and detect anal cancers.
Extracted from www.wikipedia.org.
Abnormal Pap Smears: What Every Woman Needs to Know
– Book by Lynda Rushing, M.D. and Nancy Joste, M.D. about pap smears test results and the human papillomavirus (HPV) and its connection to cervical dysplasia and cancer. Excerpt from the book, ordering information, and profiles of the authors.
Direct link: Abnormal Pap Smears: What Every Woman Needs to Know
About.com: Colposcopy: What Is It?
– Describes the procedure used for further evaluation of abnormal pap smear results.
Direct link: About.com: Colposcopy: What Is It?
Can You Trust Your Pap Smear?
– Dr. Donnica Moore discusses what a Pap smear is; who should have one and how often, what the new cervical screening technologies are, and whether you should request them.
Direct link: Can You Trust Your Pap Smear?
Feminist Women’s Health Center: Gynecological Self-Exam
– Shows how to do a cervical or vaginal self-exam and identify problems. Also lists benefits of self-exams.
Direct link: Feminist Women’s Health Center: Gynecological Self-Exam
Gynecologic Oncology: All About Pap Tests
– Describes the procedure, evaluation process, treatment, and possible errors with the test.
Direct link: Gynecologic Oncology: All About Pap Tests
Having a Pelvic Exam and Pap Test
– Information from the National Cancer Institute about what to expect. Also includes advice from other women.
Direct link: Having a Pelvic Exam and Pap Test
InteliHealth: The Pelvic Exam And Pap Smear
– Lists how to prepare for the exam, steps through the procedure, and answers common questions.
Direct link: InteliHealth: The Pelvic Exam And Pap Smear
MedicineNet: Pam Smear
– Doctor written consumer health information, includes what is a pap smear, who should have one, how it is done, treatments for abnormal pap smears and new technologies.
Direct link: MedicineNet: Pam Smear
Medinfo: Smear Test (Cervical Smear)
– Information from a United Kingdom general practitioner about procedure, results, and follow-up techniques.
Direct link: Medinfo: Smear Test (Cervical Smear)
My First Visit
– Site offering young women information about their first visit to a gynecologist. Talks about pap tests as well as pelvic exams. [English, Bulgarian, Polish, Slovenian]
Direct link: My First Visit
Pap Smears: What They Are and What the Results Mean
– Information from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) about the types of changes an abnormal test can show.
Direct link: Pap Smears: What They Are and What the Results Mean
The Female Pelvis
– Slides from a clinical skills class describing the pelvic exam procedure.
Direct link: The Female Pelvis
The Pap Examination: It Can Save Your Life
– Information from the College of American Pathologists about the value of the exam, when to have it, and how to determine if a laboratory is accredited.
Direct link: The Pap Examination: It Can Save Your Life
Women’s Health Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear
– Information from University Health Services at Pennsylvania State University about what to expect with a pelvic exam.
Direct link: Women’s Health Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear
eMedicine Health – Pap Smear
– Consumer health resource center providing information on pap smears.
Direct link: eMedicine Health – Pap Smear