What does it mean when your Pap smear is not normal?
What does it mean when your Pap smear is not normal?
When your doctor says that your Pap test, or Pap smear, was abnormal, it means that the test found some cells on your cervix that do not look normal. A Pap test may be done as part of a woman’s routine physical exam, because it’s the best way to prevent cervical cancer.
When should I be worried about an abnormal Pap smear?
Most abnormal Pap smear results are nothing to worry about Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it’s important to follow up to make sure.
What causes an abnormal Pap smear?
The main cause of abnormal Pap test results is infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many types of HPV. Some types have been linked to cancer of the cervix, vulva, and vagina. Other types have been linked to genital warts.
What happens if your smear test comes back abnormal?
If your cervical smear test shows abnormal cells, you may have a different test to look closely at your cervix. This is called a colposcopy. Sometimes the doctor or nurse doing the test can see that the cells are abnormal. They may offer you treatment to remove these cells during the colposcopy.
What are the chances of abnormal cells returning?
Why do cell changes (abnormal cells) come back? After treatment for cell changes: about 9 in 10 (90%) people will not have further problems. fewer than 2 in 10 (between 5% and 15%) people may have cell changes that come back.
Can stress cause abnormal Pap smear?
But she noted that many researchers speculate that stress may somehow be involved in cervical cancer because stressful times in women’s lives can often be associated with abnormal Pap smear results.
How do I get rid of abnormal cells in my cervix?
Abnormal cells in the cervix can also be treated with:
- cryotherapy – the abnormal cells are frozen and destroyed (this is only used to treat minor cell changes)
- laser treatment – a laser is used to pinpoint and destroy abnormal cells on your cervix.
How long before abnormal cells become cancerous?
These aren’t cancer cells, but cells that may turn cancerous if left untreated for many years. It takes 10-15 years for pre-cancer to progress to cancer.
Will fibroids show up on Pap smear?
Often, uterine fibroids are first detected during your annual pelvic exam. Follow-up tests can provide more information, such as the type, size, and location of the fibroid and any affect on your uterus or surrounding organs.
What are the reasons for an abnormal Pap smear?
Sexually Transmitted Infections. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections,affecting about 75% of sexually active people.
What does it mean if my Pap smear test is abnormal?
If the results of your Pap test come back positive, that means your doctor found abnormal or unusual cells on your cervix. It doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. Most often, the abnormal test result means there have been cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
What does a bad Pap smear result mean?
A negative pap smear result means that the results are normal while a positive result means that the results are abnormal. A positive pap smear result can be an indication that the cervix is affected by a number of things including inflammation, very early signs of cancer, more serious signs of cancer, and advanced cancer.
What is the treatment for an abnormal Pap smear?
Abnormal Pap Smears. Laser therapy — Laser therapy uses a tiny beam of light to vaporize abnormal cells. The laser is directed through a colposcope so that the area and depth of treatment can be controlled precisely. Cryotherapy — In cryotherapy, a probe is used to cool the cervix to sub-zero temperatures.
