Published on: 27 November, 2019
Read Time: 4 min
There are two possible results from a pap smear test: normal or abnormal.
If the results are abnormal, then here are the next steps.
An abnormal pap test can be the result of many different factors. If your pap test result is abnormal, it doesn’t always mean that you have a pre-cancerous cells or cancer. In fact, most women who have an abnormal result don’t have cervical cancer.
Most often, an abnormal test result means there have been changes to the cells of the cervix. These changes are usually caused by a virus known as the human papilloma virus (HPV).
The Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause changes to the cells of the cervix. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists abnormal changes to the cells can range from mild to severe and are classified as follows:
After receiving your test results it is important to make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to tell you what category (listed above) that your results fall under.
Some abnormal cells will return to normal on their own. But other abnormal cells can develop into cervical cancer if they are left untreated. It’s important for your doctor to determine which type of cells you have so that you can be followed up appropriately.
Using your pap smear result your doctor will take into account your age, medical history, sexual history and the results of any previous pap tests to determine what kind of follow up you need. That might be one or more of the following:
Receiving an abnormal test result can be scary but your doctor will guide you through the entire process.
Use your appointment as a chance to ask questions, get more information or ask for clarification. We understand this can be a stressful situation for some women so feel free to bring along a family member or trusted friend. We’ll do our best to make you feel as comfortable as possible and explain each step along the way.