MODEL RELEASED. Nurse performing a cervical smear test. The nurse is seen holding a cyto-brush and spreading a thin film of cellular material scraped from the patient's cervix (the neck of the womb) onto a glass slide. A speculum (not seen here) is used to hold open the vagina, while the cyto-brush is used to collect cell specimens from the surface of the cervix. The specimen slide will then be sent to a laboratory where it will be examined for the presence of abnormal cells which may indicate a developing cervical cancer. This is a routine test conducted on women. Early detection of cervical abnormalities or disease gives a better chance of a cure.