Abnormal Pap Smear: What It Means for You

A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, helps screen for cervical cancer. During the exam, a women’s health provider takes a sample of cells from your cervix, located on the narrow end of the uterus. Lab experts then review these cells to detect cervical cancer in its earliest stages.

So, an abnormal Pap smear means you have cancer, right? Not necessarily.

“While Pap smears help detect cancer cells in the cervix, an abnormal result doesn’t always indicate cancer,” says Melissa Mesenburg, board-certified family nurse practitioner with Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists. “No matter what results you get, your care team works to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.”

Why You May Have an Abnormal Pap Smear

A Pap smear is a simple test that checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. If everything looks good and your result is normal, you won’t need any extra tests until your next scheduled appointment.

An abnormal Pap smear occurs if your test uncovers abnormal cervical cells. These may be cancerous cells, but they often aren’t. In fact, the National Cancer Institute states that those who undergo regular Pap tests rarely wind up with cervical cancer.

Read More: Protect Your Health by Knowing the Signs of Cervical Cancer

Here are some common reasons why you might get an abnormal result:

• Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) — This condition refers to abnormal growths in the glandular cells that line the inner part of the cervix, which produce mucus. If these changes aren’t treated, they could lead to cancer.
• Atypical glandular cells — When these cells change, they can be labeled as atypical. This might be due to several factors, including cancer, infections or other health issues.
• Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) — This is the most common reason for abnormal Pap results. It means there’s something unusual, but it’s hard to tell exactly what it is. Further tests can help figure out the cause, which could be things like uterine polyps, yeast infections or hormonal changes.
• High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) — This suggests that there are abnormal, noncancerous cells present. If these changes aren’t addressed promptly, they might develop into cancer over time.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) — HPV is a virus that can be spread through sexual contact. It comes in two types: low-risk, which can cause warts, and high-risk, which can lead to cancer.

Remember, if you get an abnormal result, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the next steps. They can guide you through understanding what it means and what you’ll need to do next.

Read More: Sexually Transmitted Diseases: The Unspoken Truth

You Had an Abnormal Pap Smear. Now What?

If you've recently received an abnormal Pap smear result, you might be feeling a bit anxious about what comes next.

“Follow-up care after an abnormal pap smear is vital,” Mesenburg says. “It typically involves additional testing, which gives your care team the opportunity to pinpoint what the problem is and develop an appropriate treatment plan.”

Depending on what the test shows, you might need one of the following options:

• Additional Pap smears — Sometimes, all you need is more regular monitoring. Your doctor may suggest another Pap test, possibly along with an HPV test.
• Cervical biopsy — This is where a doctor removes some abnormal tissue from your cervix to run tests. A cervical biopsy helps confirm or rule out cervical cancer.
• Colposcopy — In this procedure, your doctor looks at your cervix using a special tool called a colposcope, which magnifies the area to help them spot any issues. If they find anything concerning, a cervical biopsy may happen during this visit.
• HPV test — This test is similar to a Pap smear. Your healthcare provider collects some cells from your cervix and sends them to a lab to check for HPV. While there’s no cure for HPV, keeping an eye on it can help catch any changes that might lead to cancer.

Read More: Gynecologic Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know

Treatment Following Abnormal Pap Results

If you receive an abnormal pap smear result that needs treatment, your healthcare provider will create a personalized plan just for you. The type of treatment you might need can depend on what’s causing the abnormal result. Here are some common options:

• Conization — This is a procedure where a doctor removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. It's also known as a cone biopsy. This treatment can help remove any precancerous or cancerous cells.
• Cryotherapy — In this method, a doctor uses a small device that freezes the abnormal tissue on your cervix. The extreme cold effectively destroys the unwanted cells.
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) — This procedure involves using a thin wire loop that is electrically charged. The doctor guides it to the area with abnormal cells, and it removes those cells to prevent them from becoming cancerous. This is another type of conization.
• Watchful waiting — Since HPV (the virus linked to abnormal pap results) doesn’t have a cure, your doctor may choose to monitor the situation over the years. If your condition starts to progress and develop into cancer, treatment to remove or destroy the cancerous cells will begin.

“None of these treatments will help if you don’t find out what’s happening in your cervix,” a healthcare professional says. “To take advantage of these advanced treatment options, make sure to include Pap tests in your regular health routine.”

Time for your Pap test? Request an appointment with a Beaufort Memorial women’s health provider.