Microscopic observation in Cervical or vaginal smear or scraping (cyto stain)

If cervical cancer is found and treated early, there is a better chance it can be cured. This type of cancer starts in the cells of the cervix. Your cervix is the lower part of your uterus, the place where a developing baby grows during pregnancy. The cervix opens into your vagina.

A Pap smear looks for abnormal changes in cervical cells before they become cancer. Sometimes, the cells collected during a Pap smear are also checked for HPV (human papillomaviruses). HPV is the name of a group of related viruses, some of which can spread through sexual contact. HPV can cause cell changes that may lead to cancer, including in the cervix.