More than 10,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year, and 3,700 women will die from the disease. However, cervical cancer is nearly 100 percent treatable if caught early, such as through Pap tests, according to the American Cancer Society.

The exam, which is designed to detect cancer or abnormalities of the uterine cervix, is credited with decreasing the instances of cervical cancer by more than 70 percent since its inception in the mid 19th century.

The ACS recommends Pap smears for women who are sexually active or 21 years or older. Doctors recommend waiting three years after the start of sexual activity to avoid overtreatment for common, temporary abnormal changes, since cervical cancer is slow to develop.

During a Pap smear, the doctor gathers cells by brushing or scraping the cervix with a small, soft brush, which are then placed onto a glass slide to be sent to a lab where the cells are stained, examined and interpreted. A cytotechnologist, trained to identify cell abnormalities, will read the slide and call the doctor with the results.

A normal Pap smear indicates no abnormalities or problems were detectable when examining the cells. Abnormal Pap smears indicate the presence of a virus or microorganisms, that cells may be altered due to infection or, in the most severe cases, cervical cells could be altered to exhibit the presence of precancerous conditions. If the test comes back questionable, other tests will be performed, such as repeating the Pap test, undergoing a follow-up test called a colposcopy, or undergoing a test for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes cervical cancer.

To ensure a Pap smear's accuracy, women should schedule the exam two weeks after the first day of their period, avoid using vaginal creams, medications and contraception for 72 hours, and abstain from intercourse for 24 hours. All of these things may eliminate or hide abnormal cells.

Cervical cancer is the third-most-common form of cancer for women in the United States. It begins in the lining of the cervix when normal cervical cells gradually develop precancerous changes that turn into cancer. Risk factors include having sex at an early age, having multiple sexual partners and smoking.