The ThinPrep test at your gynecologist in Munich

The Papanicolaou test (Pap test, formerly known as the Pap smear or smear test) is a method of cervical screening. This should detect early potentially precancerous and cancerous processes in the cervix (opening of the uterus). Critical findings are often supplemented by sensitive diagnostic methods, so as to take necessary measures to enable the prevention or prevent progression of cervical cancer. The test was named after its inventor and pioneer, the Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou.

A Pap smear is performed by opening the vaginal canal with a speculum and the collecting cells on the external opening of the cervix. The collected cells are examined under a microscope to look for anomalies. The test aims to detect potentially pre-cancerous changes, which are caused by sexually transmitted human papillomaviruses.

The test remains an effective, widely used method for early detection of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. While the measure may also detect infections and abnormalities of the inner cervix.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask your gynecologist Dr. Claudia Buchmann-Macrander.