It used to be that women had a Pap smear virtually every year. A Pap smear tests for abnormal precancerous cells in the cervix. New guidelines say most women no longer need a Pap every year — but that doesn’t mean you can skip your annual “well woman” OB/GYN visit.Cornelia Poston, M.D., OB/GYN, with Norton Women’s Specialists, explains why.

If you are due for an annual exam and don’t have an OB/GYN, find one here.