What diseases can a pap smear detect? i've heard that a pap can be used as a means for early detection of cervical cancer. are there any other diseases that it can find?

You : You are correct in that a pap smear is used for early detection of cervical cancer; to be more specific, the pap test can detect cervical changes ranging from atypical cells all the way to cancerous cells. A certain type of pap test called a thin prep can also be used to detect std's such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas. In addition, these types of pap tests can detect common vaginal infections such as yeast infections, and BV (bacterial vaginosis).

Yes: Pap smear can defind cervical cancer including squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, and cell changes which could be precancer changes ( follow up is important). Pap smear can reveal trichomonas vaginalis, herpes virus changes, fungal organisms-candida, can reveal normal and atypical endometrial cells. Metastasis to the cervix could be seen on pap.