When you get a pap smear procedure done, you are asking the doctor to look for signs of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. Because cervical cancer takes the lives of approximately 3,000 women a year, it is important to detect the presence of cancer or pre-cancer cells early so you can start appropriate treatment. You can take action by getting an annual pap smear (from ages 21 to 30) or a biannual pap smear (from ages 30 to 65) if your tests have been normal thus far.
After about three weeks, you will receive your pap smear results. A normal test result means the cells collected through the pap smear procedure look normal. An abnormal pap smear result means something about the cells looks out of the ordinary, or abnormal. The results may be reported as abnormal or as cervical dysplasia. Both terms mean the same thing: something about the cervical cells looked abnormal and the doctor wants you to seek further testing to make sure you do not have cervical cancer.
If you receive a notice saying you have abnormal pap smear results, do not panic. This does not necessarily mean you have cervical cancer. It is very common for false positive results (an abnormal test status, corrected by more thorough testing) to occur. Basically what an abnormal test result means is that you should get more testing done to rule out cervical cancer. Thirteen thousand women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Most of those women are treated effectively and go on to live normal lives. However, early detection is key to most effective treatments.
Your doctor may ask you to come in for a second pap smear, a cervical imaging test, a cervical curettage procedure or a biopsy, depending on how serious the results of the abnormal pap smear is. The first two procedures mentioned above are completely painless - the pap smear simply collects sample cells using a cotton swab and the imaging test uses light to determine if the cervical cells are normal or abnormal. The curettage and biopsy procedures are somewhat painful, but your doctor will do his or her best to minimize the discomfort as he or she takes very small samples of your cervical tissue for further testing.
Abnormal pap smears often indicate other abnormalities, such as the presence of HPV. Many times the issues discovered as a result of your abnormal pap smear can be resolved with simple medication. The presence of HPV does not mean you will develop cervical cancer. It is only a common precursor to cervical cancer.
 | Learning that your pap smear results are abnormal isn't necessarily reason to panic, so don't jump to the conclusion that you have cervical cancer. Around half of abnormal results point to minor cervical conditions that aren't cause for worry, but do follow up with your doctor to determine a plan for an exact diagnosis and treatment plan. |
 | Pap smears are minimally invasive, painless ways to check for abnormal cervical cells. |
Most women dread going through a yearly pelvic exam and Pap test. The annual check can potentially save your life, so women need to understand the process and follow up procedures and what to do if abnormal pap smears result. |
While pap smears are conducted as preventative measures to detect human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, there are many reasons for abnormal pap smear results that don't automatically mean you have cervical cancer. |
If you've recently had a pap smear procedure performed, you may have gotten the results back saying you have cervical dysplasia. Don't stress yourself before understanding some basic information about cervical dysplasia and treatment. |
