Yes, Men Need Pap Smears Too

Go ahead and laugh, but it’s true. Men need Pap smears too.

Not all men. Just men who have sex with men.

The female Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer, which is a sexually induced cancer caused by the human papillomavirus. The human papillomavirus is also easily transmitted to the anus in men who have sex with men. Anal Pap smears screen for abnormal anal cells that may lead to anal cancer.

But don’t worry guys. You won’t need a large vaginal speculum for your exam. Just a small, friendly swab about the size of a Q-tip.

Now, watch a LIVE Pap smear demo here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fms5UWsiZ9s

Pamela Wible, MD, pioneered the first community-designed ideal medical clinic in America. She is author of Pet Goats & Pap Smears and writes for The Oregonian.

Contact Dr. Wible.