Abnormal Pap Test | Should You Worry?

Having a Pap test can be an anxious experience – and the results of that test can bring on even more worries.

Yet, with advances in medical technology and deeper understanding of cervical cancer and precancerous changes to cervical cells, your doctor is better able to provide early detection, diagnosis, and treatment for abnormal cell growth.

If you have an abnormal pap test result, it’s understandable to feel concerned about the results.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cervical cancer; there might be other causes for your abnormal pap test, some of which may require different treatments than those used to fight against cervical cancer.

In this blog post, we will review what could cause an abnormal pap test result and what steps you should take next so that you can make informed decisions about your health.

What Does An Abnormal Pap Test Indicate?

An abnormal pap test result can indicate that the cells of your cervix have changed, although it’s important to remember that any changes don’t necessarily mean that you have cervical cancer.

Your doctor may choose to do additional tests on the sample or request a follow-up Pap test after several months to check for changes in the cells; this is known as a watch and wait approach.

It’s also possible that if an abnormality is suspected, further testing such as a biopsy will be recommended.

In general, an abnormal Pap test might indicate:

• HPV (human papillomavirus) infection which can lead to cervical cancer;

• Abnormal cells which has the potential to become cancerous;

• Other conditions such as cervical polyps, inflammation of the cervix, or infection.

An abnormal test result does not mean you have cancer.

When Should I Worry?

An abnormal pap test result can be concerning. In many cases, an abnormal Pap test is a sign of a minor abnormality which may not cause any health risks or require treatment at all.

However, it is important to keep in mind that certain changes could indicate serious health issues and should be monitored closely by your doctor.

Your doctor will be able to provide the right guidance on what your abnormal pap test results mean and help you decide if further testing is necessary, or if it’s best just to wait and watch for any changes in your cervical cells.

What Percentage Of Abnormal Pap Smears Are Cancer?

The vast majority of abnormal pap results do not indicate cancer. In fact, only 1 in 10 women with an abnormal Pap smear result will eventually be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

In most cases, a woman’s body is able to successfully fight off the potentially precancerous cells or these cells may simply never develop into cancer.

Regular testing for Abnormal Pap Smears is still incredibly important. Early detection is key in making sure Abnormal Pap results do not develop into a more serious form of the disease.

Worst Case Scenario Treatments

Cervical cancer treatments can include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy depending on the type and stage of the cancer.

Surgery for cervical cancer may involve a cone biopsy or a hysterectomy which will permanently remove the uterus but this procedure depends on the particular situation of the individual patient.

Cervical cancer therapies such as external beam radiation therapy can be administered with small or large doses spread over five to seven weeks.

Chemotherapy involves taking medications to kill any remaining cancer cells after undergoing surgery or radiation therapy and could be given via an intravenous injection, pill form, or intraperitoneal infusion.

Treatments for cervical cancer have improved greatly over time due to increased knowledge in medical research and technological advances. Utilizing these therapies in combination can be life-saving for those with cervical cancer.

The survival rate for cervical cancer is close to 100% when you find and treat precancerous or early cancerous changes.

Wrapping Up

There are a lot of different factors that go into whether or not you should be worried about an abnormal Pap test. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor.

The vast majority of women with abnormal Pap tests do not have cancer. In fact, most cases of abnormal pap smear are caused by HPV, a common virus that often goes away on its own.

However, if you have had an abnormal Pap test, it is important to follow up with your doctor to make sure everything is okay.

Dr James S Pendergraft | Orlando Women’s Center | Abortion Pill Clinic | Articles On Abortion