Questions and Answers about Anal Pap Smears
The Pap smear, developed by Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou almost 70 years ago is a quick painless test in which cells of the female cervix are examined for abnormalities. Prior to routine pap smear testing in women, cervical cancer was the number one cancer killer in women worldwide. Over the last decade, physicians have come to recognize that the same test may be used for the early detection of anal cancer, an illness which is on the rise worldwide, especially in the gay and lesbian community. The disease is easily treatable when found early and is preventable. This is intended to dispel some myths about anal pap smears and help you decide if pap smear testing is right for you.