Do you have a medical question you'd like to get a doctor's answer honest answer to? Dr. Mara Gordon, a family physician in Camden, N.J., answers reader health questions monthly. Write us at thrive@npr.org .

Question: I've heard there's a self test to check for cervical cancer. I hate getting Pap smears. Is this a safe alternative?

I hear you: Pap smears are not fun. At best, they're uncomfortable. At worst, they can be deeply upsetting for people who've experienced sexual or medical trauma.

As a primary care doctor, I also know how important it is that my patients get checked for early signs of cervical cancer, the most common gynecological cancer worldwide . Traditionally, a doctor would do this with a Pap smear, which involves collecting a sample of cells from your cervix.

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