As a health professional with expertise in women's health, I can provide you with information regarding the Pap smear and its role in cancer screening. The Pap test is a screening tool designed to detect cervical cancer in its early stages. It involves examining cells from the cervix to identify any abnormal changes that could potentially lead to cancer. However, the Pap test is not a test for ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer typically does not shed cells that would be collected in a Pap smear, so the test is not effective for detecting this type of cancer. While a pelvic exam may help identify some cancers or gynecologic conditions, it is not a substitute for specific cancer screenings like the Pap test for cervical cancer or other tests for ovarian cancer. In rare cases, ovarian cancers might be discovered during a Pap test, but this is not the intended purpose of the test and such discoveries are usually made at an advanced stage of the disease. read more >>

Pelvic exams may, however, help identify other cancers or gynecologic conditions. ... The Pap test is effective in early detection of cervical cancer, but it isn't a test for ovarian cancer. Rarely, ovarian cancers are found through Pap tests, but usually they are at an advanced stage.read more >>