[paulapoo]

I think the biggest thing some women don't realize is even if you've had a hysterectomy and don't have a cervix, you still need a pap because the abnormal cells can be on your vaginal walls. The new thin prep pap smears do test for HPV, and if it's positive they can do more extensive testing on the same specimen to determine what type and how severe it is. There is a box for the physician to mark to make sure the HPV is checked, make sure you specifically ask them just in case.