A Pap test can save your life. It can find the earliest signs of cervical cancer - a common cancer in women. If caught early, the chance of curing cervical cancer is very high. Pap tests also can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells. Treatment can prevent most cases of cervical cancer from developing.

Getting regular Pap tests is the best thing you can do to prevent cervical cancer. About 13,000 women in America will find out they have cervical cancer this year. And in 2004, 3,500 women died from cervical cancer in the United States.

It is important that your pap smear is normal before you try to get pregnant.  If your pap smear is abnormal during pregnancy, treatment could pose a risk to your pregnancy.  It is better to get an “all clear” from your Ob/Gyn before getting pregnant.