Cervical cancer screening is an important part of preventing cancer or detecting it early. Two tests are used for screenings: the Pap test (or smear) and the HPV test. The Pap test checks for cell changes on a woman’s cervix that could turn into cancer if they are not treated. The HPV test looks for human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus can cause cell changes that lead to cervical cancer. Show Your Pap test will come back with one of three results: Normal (or negative). This means no cell changes were found. Unclear (or inconclusive). This result is common. It means it looks like your cells could be abnormal. This could be because of an infection, such as a yeast infection or the herpes virus. Hormone changes from pregnancy or menopause can also affect test results. Abnormal (or positive). This means cell changes were found. In most cases, it does not mean you have cervical cancer. There are different abnormal test results. These are the most common.
Most women with abnormal cervical cancer screening results do not have cancer. If your screening found ASC-US, your doctor will probably order an HPV test. He or she may also have you come back in 6 to 12 months for another Pap test. If the HPV test is positive and you are older than 25, your doctor will order a colposcopy. During this test, he or she will use a magnifying lens to look more closely at your cervix. They can also take a sample of tissue (biopsy) to test for cancer. Cells of the cervix go through many changes before they turn into cancer. A Pap test can show if your cells are going through these changes. If caught and treated early, cervical cancer is not life threatening. Talk to your doctor to see how often he or she recommends you receive Pap tests. You may need them or less often, depending on your age and overall health. Cervical cancer screening results can sometimes be wrong. This means you may have to undergo unnecessary follow-up tests. However, screening has saved lives. Discuss your risk for cervical cancer, the pros and cons of screening, at what age to start screening, and how often to be screened. Abnormal or precancerous cells are often found before cancer develops. If further testing shows that you have precancerous cells, your doctor will want to remove them. They will help you decide which treatment is best for you. Sometimes, they will recommend watchful waiting. This could include more frequent Pap tests. Other common treatments include: Your doctor can perform some of these treatments in their office. They usually take only a few minutes. Other treatments require anesthesia, so you go to a hospital for those. If the tests find invasive cancer, treatment will depend on how far the cancer has spread. The most common treatments include: Treatment of invasive cancer often involves a team of specialists. This could include your family doctor, a gynecologist, and an oncologist (cancer specialist). You will all work together to develop the best treatment plan for you. |