text: $%$%$%\n\n Papanicolaou smear, cervical smear, cervical/vaginal cytology\ndetects only abnormal cells that are indicators for dysplasia (Dysplasia is the term used for cells that have changed and grown or developed abnormally. Typically it means that the cells are at increased risk for developing into cancer) to cancer. \n\nDysplasia can occur for a number of reasons other than cancer.