What is the purpose of going for a pap smear? i am 17 and never had one.

Start age 21: Pap smears save lives. New recommendations are to begin at age 21 years unless you have special concerns--talk it over with your provider. Paps check for changes in cells of your cervix ; can catch suggestive signs of cervical cancer very, very early. If found, treatment can actually help prevent cancer from developing in many cases. The addition of hpv testing, has also helped in this regard.

Papsmear: Papsmear is a screening for cervical cancer. It is a test that tells the dr. Who is at risk of developing cervical cancer in the near future. Sometimes cervical cancers have been picked up through pap smears in people who have not had pap smears for a long time according to the recommendations . Your first papsmear should begin at age 21. You should get hpv vaccine. Please see your doctor as well.