What is being tested?
A cervical smear is a test used to detect abnormal or potentially abnormal cells from the vagina and uterine cervix (neck of the womb). Various bacterial, fungal, and viral infections may also be detected using this test.

How is the sample collected for testing?
The method consists of sampling cells from the cervical area. A doctor or nurse inserts an instrument (a speculum) to open the woman's vagina. The sample is obtained using a type of wooden "spatula", cotton swab, or brush. Most women consider the procedure to be only mildly uncomfortable. The specimen is "smeared" onto a glass slide. In the relatively new liquid-based cytology (LBC) method, the specimen is collected as noted above, but is not "smeared" but is put into a special liquid preservative. This cell suspension is processed onto a glass slide, stained, and examined.