Pap smears are a screening test for cervical cancer. The test can detect abnormal cells in the cervix before they become cancerous. Many doctors often test for the presence of human papillomavirus during a pap smear to check for the presence of the virus, which is one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. An unclear or unusual Pap smear result may be a sign of infection, another problem, or cancer. Pap smear is a routine test as part of the annual blood pressure examination. The test checks for: Cervical cancer; Potentially precancerous cells in the cervix (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia); Human papillomavirus – a common sexually transmitted infection that increases the risk of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening is recommended for women between the ages of 21 and 65. Experts recommend that women between the ages of 21 and 29 be screened with a pap smear every three years. For women between the ages of 30 and 65, it is recommended that the examination be carried out annually. Applying the test as a prophylactic method can give inaccurate results in a small percentage of cases, since the method does not give a 100% guarantee. Deviations can be: False positive results. They show abnormal changes in the cells, but from further tests it is found that there are no pathologies. False negative results. In this case, the results do not report the presence of precancerous cells. False negative results are allowed in 5% to 25% of patients. However, these deviations are practically eliminated if regular pap smears are performed. When conducting three consecutive annual pap smears, it is considered impossible to miss pathologies, if any. The study is valuable due to the fact that it also provides additional information regarding the presence of: Inflammatory changes, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections; Regenerative changes as a result of inflammation, trauma to the cervix; Hormonal status; Microorganisms with infectious potential; Early signals of precancerous changes; Registration of developed precancerous changes – severe dysplasia to cancer of the surface layer of cells; Invasive carcinoma. Different classifications exist to account for precancerous changes. In Bulgaria, the PAP system is mainly used. In this system, the results are reported in 5 groups. PAP I – normal cells; PAP II – evidence of inflammatory changes or benign changes. (metaplasia), human papillomavirus infection; PAP III – presence of atypical cells and reporting the result as borderline. In this group, there are two options, pointing to inflammation or a degenerative process, or dysplasia; Data on severe dysplasia and registration of individual cancer cells; Registration of multiple cancer cells that indicate invasive carcinoma. Before Pap smear, it is important to note all medications,which the patient is taking and any abnormal results from previous tests. The procedure is not performed during menstruation, it is recommended that it be done between the third and fifth day after the last period. Bibliography: 1. American Cancer Society. The Pap (Papanicolaou) Test. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cervical Cancer: What Should I Know About Screening? 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet. 4. National Cancer Institute. Biopsy. 5. Planned Parenthood. What’s a Pap test? (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/cancer/cervical-cancer/whats-pap-test)