Can you have a normal Pap smear after an abnormal one?
Can you have a normal Pap smear after an abnormal one?
Abnormal cervical cells may also return to normal even without treatment, especially in younger women. LSIL and HSIL are two types of abnormal changes to cervical squamous cells.
What does it mean when your pap smear results are abnormal?
Abnormal test results don’t necessarily mean that you have cancer. However, they’re still a sign that your Pap smear results are unusual. The causes of abnormal test results can vary widely. Sometimes, the test indicates that you have abnormal cells of undetermined significance.
Can a woman with abnormal Pap smear get cervical cancer?
Most women with HPV and/or abnormal Pap smear results do not get cervical cancer. Researchers now believe that almost all cervical cancer is caused by HPV 16 and HPV 18. Cervical cancer is diagnosed in 12,900 women in the United States each year and 4,400 women die of cervical cancer in the U.S. each year.
What kind of cells are found on a Pap smear?
His answer will depend on what type of abnormal cells are found in your cervix. The most common ones are listed below. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). Thin, flat cells called squamous cells grow on the surface of a healthy cervix. ASCUS occurs when these cells are not typical.
How often should a woman get a Pap smear?
Most women are recommended to get a Pap smear every year. It’s an important test that can check on the health of your cervix and identify possible problems. Most of the time, you get a card in the mail that says your results are normal. But, sometimes, your doctor says they found abnormal cells in your Pap smear.
What are the next steps after an abnormal Pap smear?
If your Pap results are unclear or inconclusive, the next step will likely be a colposcopy . A colposcopy is a procedure in which your doctor uses a microscope to inspect your cervix. Your doctor will use a special solution during the colposcopy to help differentiate normal areas from abnormal ones.
What does an abnormal Pap smear mean exactly?
An abnormal pap smear means that there were atypical cells detected on the sample. There are many different categories of test results, ranging anywhere from undetermined significance, mildly abnormal, or highly abnormal.
What can cause a Pap smear to come back abnormal?
Yeast infections might cause a pap smear to come back as abnormal. These types of infections are caused by an imbalance in the bacteria levels in the vagina. They are not necessarily related to sexual activity and can be caused by certain prescription antibiotics.
Does abnormal Pap smear always indicate cancer?
An abnormal Pap smear means some percentage of your cervix cells appear abnormal in shape or size. In most cases, an abnormal Pap smear does not indicate cancer and is in fact caused by HPV. If you have an abnormal Pap result, your doctor may order further testing like a biopsy.