Intro
Cervical screening saves lives, but confusion around Pap smears and HPV tests causes many women to delay or avoid screening altogether.
They are related—but not the same.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Pap smear → looks for abnormal cervical cells
- HPV test → looks for high-risk HPV DNA
- HPV testing finds risk earlier
- Pap smears detect existing damage
Pap Smear (Cytology)
A Pap smear examines cervical cells under a microscope.
Strength:
- Detects precancerous cell changes directly
Limitations:
- Can miss early HPV infection
- Lower sensitivity than HPV testing
HPV Testing
HPV testing detects genetic material from cancer-causing HPV strains.
Strength:
- Identifies risk before cell damage occurs
- Higher sensitivity for cancer prevention
Limitations:
- Does not show cell changes on its own
Why Guidelines Are Changing
Because persistent HPV infection causes nearly all cervical cancers, detecting the virus earlier improves prevention. Many programs now use:
- Primary HPV testing
- Pap smear only if HPV is detected