About Abnormal Pap Tests

A pap test should be a part of every woman's overall health care plan. Women should have a Pap test at least once every three years after they begin to have sexual intercourse, but no later than age twenty one. A Pap test examines cells from the cervix to detect the presence of cancer, cells that could become cancerous and other conditions that can cause infections or inflammation. In terms of cancer, early detection is the most important step in successful treatment. The objective of a Pap test is to catch the cells at the precancerous stage and start treatment before the cells become malignant.

Identification

• During a Pap test or Pap smear, your health care provider will insert an instrument called a speculum. This widens the vagina and allows samples of cells to be taken for testing. It also allows the examiner to see any abnormalities.

Most Common Abnormalities

• In most cases, an abnormal Pap test means that you have a vaginal or cervical infection that has caused changes in the cells of your cervix. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help to correct these types of problems.

Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)

• Having the human papillomavirus infection can cause abnormal Pap test results. However, some women infected with HPV can have normal Pap test results. Some forms of HPV are linked to cervical cancer.

Pre Cancer Abnormalities

• Your Pap test may show squamous intraepithelial lesions. This refers to changes in the cells that may or may not suggest pre cancer. This can be low grade or high grade. This result means that if left untreated, these cells could become cancerous. Abnormal cells also occur for no known reason.

Dysplasia

• In this situation, the cells look abnormal but are not an automatically diagnosed as cancer. Dysplasia may develop into very early cancer of the cervix. However, this condition is labeled in low to high severity. Higher severity cases mean that the cells are cancerous and may have spread to other tissue.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma

• After your Pap exam, your cells are examined under a microscope. If these abnormalities are found in during the examination, you may be diagnosed with cervical cancer. The earlier this diagnosis is made, the more successful your treatment can be.