Receiving abnormal Pap test results is alarming, but an abnormal result doesn’t automatically mean you have cervical cancer. In many cases, it indicates minor changes in cervical cells that may resolve on their own or need closer monitoring.
Understanding what your results mean and knowing what to expect can help ease anxiety and ensure you receive appropriate follow-up care.
At MS Family Medicine Health Care, PC in Mineola, New York, we offer Pap tests as part of your wellness and preventive care service. This routine screening detects abnormal changes in cervical cells before they become cancerous.
Dr. Michele Reed and our team want you to understand what an abnormal Pap test might mean and the next steps in your care.
A Pap test, also called a Pap smear, is a health screening for cervical cancer. During the test, we gently collect a small sample of cells from your cervix and send it to the lab for evaluation.
While the exam may feel a little uncomfortable or awkward, it’s one of the most effective tools for preventing cervical cancer. In fact, routine Pap testing has dramatically reduced cervical cancer rates by identifying abnormal cells early, when they’re easiest to treat.
We start screening for cervical cancer at age 21 and repeat the test every three years. Beginning at age 30, we may recommend combining your Pap test with testing for human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer cases.
If both your Pap and HPV test are normal, you may only need screening every five years. However, if you test positive for HPV or have abnormal cervical cell changes, you may need more frequent follow-up testing.
An abnormal Pap test means the lab found changes in your cervical cells. These changes can range from mild to more significant and don’t necessarily mean cancer is present.
ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap test result. It means some cervical cells appear slightly abnormal, but it’s unclear why. It may mean you have an infection like HPV.
Glandular cells are mucus-producing cells. When these cells don’t look as they should, additional testing is usually recommended because abnormal glandular cells are more likely precancerous or cancerous than abnormal squamous cells.
LSIL indicates mild changes in cervical cells, most often caused by an HPV infection. In many cases, these changes regress on their own, but they still require follow-up to ensure they don’t progress.
HSIL indicates you have more significant cell changes from HPV. While HSIL isn’t cancer, these abnormalities have a higher likelihood of developing into cervical cancer if left untreated.
AIS is a precancerous condition affecting your glandular cells. Without treatment, these abnormal cells are at high risk of progressing to cervical cancer.
Although uncommon, a Pap test can detect cervical cancer cells. This is much less likely in women who have routine cervical cancer screenings because abnormalities are found before cancer develops.
Your next steps depend on the type of abnormality found. For mild abnormalities, such as ASC-US, we may recommend HPV testing or repeating your Pap test in 6-12 months to see if the changes resolve.
If you test positive for HPV or have more significant abnormalities, you may need a colposcopy. During this in-office procedure, your provider uses a special magnifying instrument to closely examine your cervix and collect more samples for further evaluation.
If precancerous cells are found, additional procedures can remove the abnormal tissue before it turns into cancer. If your results find cervical cancer, treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these therapies.
Although you can’t prevent every abnormal Pap test, you can take steps to lower your risk of cervical cancer. Protect your health by:
An abnormal Pap test isn’t a cancer diagnosis; it simply means more testing is needed. Because cervical cell changes usually develop slowly, finding and treating abnormal cells early may prevent cervical cancer from developing.
If it’s been a while since your last Pap test or you have concerns about cervical cancer screening, we’re here to help. Call our office today or request an appointment online anytime.
