During the test
You will be asked to lie down with your feet against stirrups. Your doctor will insert an instrument called a speculum into the vagina so that it is easier to examine. A spatula or brush is used to scrape the area around and inside the cervix. The sample is placed on a microscope slide, which is then sent to the laboratory.
The test takes a few minutes and is often painless. However, some women might experience slight discomfort during the test and there may be some bleeding. To minimize the amount of discomfort, try your best to stay relaxed.
After the test
You may experience some minor bleeding after the test. Once the exam is done, you will be able to go about your normal activities.
The laboratory will examine the sample and create a report for your doctor. This may take several weeks. Ask your doctor when you can expect your test results to be made available.
A negative result means that the cells in the cervix are normal. If there are any abnormal cells, your doctor may want to perform additional tests. It is important to note that a positive result does not always indicate that you have cancer. Also, keep in mind that no test is 100% accurate, and as with any test, this test may produce false positive results (a positive result for someone who does not have cervical cancer) or false negative results (a negative result for someone who really does have cervical cancer).