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Is it Possible to Have Cervical Cancer With a Normal Pap Smear?

Yes, it is possible to have cervical cancer even if your Pap smear results come back normal. According to the Mayo Clinic, these "false-negative results" are experienced by 5 percent of women who have a conventional Pap smear.

  1. Inadequate Sample

    • There may be issues with the tissue sample your doctor gathered during your Pap test that make it difficult for the pathologist to identify the presence of cancer. These include too few cells in the submitted sample, or too few abnormal cells to make an adequate diagnosis.

    Masking Problems

    • An infection or blood may hide the cancer from view. Douching and some vaginal medications may wash away the abnormal cells.

    Location

    • The cancer lesion may be very small and located in an area that was inaccessible to your doctor at the time he or she swabbed your cervix.

    Expert Insight

    • Cervical cancer grows slowly. The National Cancer Institute reminds us that if abnormal cells are missed during one Pap smear, they will most likely be caught during the next examination.

    Computerized Diagnosis

    • According to the American Cancer Society, computerized Pap readings can find abnormal cells that lab technicians miss. Automated testing is more expensive.

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