A Pap smear is commonly used to screen for cancer of which organ?

A Pap smear is commonly used to screen for cancer of which organ?

• A. Ovarian cancer
• B. Endometrial cancer
• C. Cervical cancer
• D. Testicular cancer

Answer: (C)

A Pap smear is designed to sample cells from the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. By examining these cervical cells under a microscope, clinicians look for abnormal changes or precancerous lesions that can develop into cervical cancer, often tied to HPV infection. This is why the test is used to screen for cervical cancer and its early changes, not cancers of the ovaries, lining of the uterus, or the testes. Ovarian cancer lacks a reliable routine screening test, endometrial cancer isn’t routinely screened with Pap smears, and testicular cancer is typically found via self-exams, imaging, and tumor markers. So the Pap smear specifically targets cervical cancer.

A Pap smear is designed to sample cells from the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. By examining these cervical cells under a microscope, clinicians look for abnormal changes or precancerous lesions that can develop into cervical cancer, often tied to HPV infection. This is why the test is used to screen for cervical cancer and its early changes, not cancers of the ovaries, lining of the uterus, or the testes. Ovarian cancer lacks a reliable routine screening test, endometrial cancer isn’t routinely screened with Pap smears, and testicular cancer is typically found via self-exams, imaging, and tumor markers. So the Pap smear specifically targets cervical cancer.