What does it mean if you have abnormal cells in a Pap smear?
What does it mean if you have abnormal cells in a Pap smear?
What Does It Mean if a Pap Smear Is Abnormal? Healthy cervical cells are thin and flat. If your Pap test is abnormal, this means that your sample contained abnormally shaped cervical cells. Most of the abnormal cells found during a Pap test are the result of a cervical or vaginal infection and are not cancerous.
Should I worry if my Pap smear is abnormal?
Most abnormal Pap smear results are nothing to worry about Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it’s important to follow up to make sure.
How concerning is an abnormal Pap smear?
If your pap smear test comes back as abnormal, or positive, it means there is an unusual cell appearing in your cervix. This result does not mean you have cervical cancer. Most often, these test results are the sign there have been cell changes caused by HPV (human papillomavirus).
What is the next step after an abnormal Pap smear?
What Happens After an Abnormal Pap Test? If your Pap test results are abnormal, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy. If you’re told that you need a colposcopy, don’t panic, says Coleman.
What can be done for abnormal Pap smear?
If your Pap test results are abnormal, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy. If you’re told that you need a colposcopy, don’t panic, says Coleman.
Do abnormal cells go away?
Treatments that destroy abnormal cells are called ablative treatments: Cryotherapy: A special cold probe is used to destroy abnormal tissue by freezing it. This procedure is done in your health care provider’s office. It takes only a few minutes and usually does not require anesthesia.
What is treatment for abnormal Pap smear?
What happens if your smear test comes back abnormal?
An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). These changes are not cancer. The cells often go back to normal by themselves. But in some women, if not treated, these changes could develop into cancer in the future.
Can stress cause abnormal Pap smear?
But she noted that many researchers speculate that stress may somehow be involved in cervical cancer because stressful times in women’s lives can often be associated with abnormal Pap smear results.
What is the next test after an abnormal Pap smear?
“I Received an Abnormal Pap Test. What’s Next?” Your next step is usually a minor procedure called a colposcopy. This procedure is a visual examination of the cervix using a low-powered microscope used to find and then biopsy abnormal areas in your cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
Can a yeast infection cause abnormal Pap?
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) , yeast infections can lead to an abnormal Pap smear finding called atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap smear result.
Do abnormal cells go away on their own?
They usually go away on their own and do not require treatment. CIN 2 changes are moderate and are typically treated by removing the abnormal cells. However, CIN 2 can sometimes go away on its own. Some women, after consulting with their health care provider, may decide to have a colposcopy with biopsy every 6 months.
What are the symptoms of abnormal cervical cells?
Symptoms of cervical cancer usually do not appear until abnormal cervical cells become cancerous and invade nearby tissue. The most common symptom is abnormal bleeding that starts and stops between regular menstrual periods, or that occurs after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic exam.
How common is abnormal smear?
Whilst about 1 in 20 women will have a smear test result which is abnormal, only about 1 in 2000 will have cervical cancer. That means approximately 1% of women with any grade of abnormal smear will have a cancer.
Can yeast infection cause abnormal Pap smear?
Can stress cause abnormal Pap smears?
Why would I need an ultrasound after a Pap smear?
Although Papanicolaou test (PAP smear) tests are the preferred screening tool, sonography can be used to assess the uterus, ovaries, and adnexa for any changes that would suggest abnormalities and disease.
Can Pap smear detect STD?
A Pap smear can’t detect STDs. To test for diseases like chlamydia or gonorrhea, your healthcare provider takes a swab from your cervix. Blood tests can also identify certain STDs.
How do you treat an abnormal Pap smear?
What could be the cause of an abnormal Pap smear?
Most abnormal Pap smears are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. Frequently, these viruses and the cell changes that they cause on the cervix will go away on their own. However, HPV may stay in the body for many years without causing any signs or symptoms.
What to expect if you have an abnormal Pap smear?
– Genital warts (herpes) – Trichomoniasis (another common STI) – Other infections – General inflammation
What to do if you have an abnormal Pap smear?
Doctors recommend pap smear tests for appear to be normal or abnormal. Simply finding abnormal cells, however, doesn’t automatically mean that you have cervical cancer. It just means that your doctor will need to do further tests to see what
What does an abnormal Pap smear mean exactly?
The goal of a pap smear is to screen for any cellular changes that can be associated with cervical cancer. What does an abnormal pap smear mean? An abnormal pap smear means that there were atypical cells detected on the sample.