How to Interpret the Pap Test

Even if you dread your yearly visit to the gynecologist, you still go, because you know regular checkups are an important part of your health and well-being. Getting a Pap smear once a year is the best method of early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. Sometimes your Pap test comes back with the scary-sounding result of "abnormal." What does it mean? How can you understand your Pap test results?

Instructions

• 1

  A Pap test result of "Negative" means there are no abnormal cells, and no signs of pre-cancer.

• 2

  "Atypical Squamous Cells (ASC)" means that there are some abnormal, but not necessarily precancerous, cells on your cervix (squamous cells are the cells on your lower cervix). Other common causes of abnormal-looking cells are vaginal irritation or a yeast infection, and having a Pap smear while menstruating or before menstruation has completely finished. Ask your doctor if you need retesting or further examination.

• 3

  "Low-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion" or "LSIL" means that there are mild precancerous abnormalities on some cells.

• 4

  "High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL)" means there appears to be moderate to more serious precancerous changes in some cells.

• 5

  "Squamous Cell Carcinoma" indicates that cancer is present.

• 6

  The cells in your upper cervix that produce mucous are called glandular cells. A Pap result of "Atypical Glandular Cells" means there are abnormal glandular cells that could indicate cancerous or precancerous cell growth.

• 7

  A result of "Adenocarcinoma" means that cancer is present.

• 8

  With all of the above results (with the exception "Negative"), you must consult with your doctor about further treatment and evaluation.