The Smear Test
What Is It? How Is It Done?

The smear test is not a test that directly diagnoses cervical cancer. The aim of this test is to detect, at an early stage, the cellular changes (precancerous lesions) that appear before cancer forms.

The smear test does not give a definitive result of "there is cervical cancer" or "there is not". As with every medical test, there is a possibility of false positives and false negatives in the smear test. That is, it cannot be said that a patient with an abnormal smear result definitely has cancer; nor can it be concluded that a person with a normal smear result will never develop cancer.

How Is the Smear Test Done?

The smear test is done during a gynaecological examination. After the speculum is placed, a cell sample is taken from the cervix with a special brush. The procedure takes a few minutes and usually does not cause pain. One can return to daily life immediately after the procedure.

What Do the Smear Test Results Mean?

Smear test results can be reported with cytological classifications such as normal, ASCUS, LSIL and HSIL. These results show the degree of change in the cells. The sensitivity of the smear test in detecting CIN2 and more advanced lesions in particular is about 76.6%. When done together with the HPV DNA test, this rate rises to as much as 90%.

The Relationship Between HPV and the Smear Test

The most important cause of cervical cancer is high-risk HPV types. For this reason, in current screening programmes, the HPV DNA test is recommended together with the smear test. While the HPV test shows the presence of the virus, the smear test reveals the cellular damage. Doing the two tests together significantly increases the success of early diagnosis.

The smear test is a screening method that saves lives by catching cervical cancer at an early stage. Doing it at regular intervals is of great importance.