The Pap test, and the HPV test that’s often performed along with it, can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early.
The HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus, a common virus that can cause cell changes on the cervix.
The Pap test (aka Pap smear) looks for precancerous cells, changes in the cells on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if not treated appropriately.
Our team of experienced physicians at Women's Health Specialists, PLLC, regularly performs the Pap smear and HPV test for our patients in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Sometimes, the results come back as “abnormal”; does that mean you have cancer? Most of the time, the answer is no, but here we explain why.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is actually a group of related viruses that cause warts on different areas of your body. Of the more than 200 types, about 40 are spread through direct sexual contact with someone who’s infected. They can also spread through intimate, skin-to-skin contact. Some of the viruses can cause cancer.
There are two classes of sexually transmitted HPV: low-risk HPV, which can cause warts on or around your genitals, anus, mouth, or throat; and high-risk HPV, which can cause a variety of cancers, including cervical cancer. That’s why testing occurs along with the Pap smear.
The HPV viruses are so common that nearly everyone becomes infected with them soon after they become sexually active.
Most HPV infections are short-lived, go away on their own, and don't cause cancer. But high-risk HPV infection, which can last for years, can damage cells and lead to changes within them. If these changes aren’t treated, the cells can turn cancerous.
If your results come back as "abnormal," that doesn’t automatically mean you have cancer. Several things could be behind abnormal Pap smear results:
Most often, the abnormal result means HPV has caused changes within the cells.
There are a number of different types of abnormal cells, the most common being:
ASCUS occurs when the cells that grow on the surface of a healthy cervix (squamous cells) don’t look normal, but the abnormality has no definable cause. The doctor uses a solution applied to the cervix to determine if HPV is present. If it isn’t, there’s probably no need for concern.
These cells may be precancerous, and doctors classify their changes as “low-grade” or “high-grade.” If they’re low-grade, the cell may not turn into cancer for many years. If they’re high-grade, cancer could occur much sooner.
The doctor will most likely order more tests, including a colposcopy, a procedure that shows changes in the cervix, and a biopsy of cervical tissue, to check for cancerous cells.
Glandular cells grow in the opening of your cervix and inside your uterus and produce mucus. If they’re classified as abnormal, the doctor orders additional tests, including a colposcopy, to determine if cancer is present.
If the cells on your cervix are extremely abnormal, you likely have cancer. Your doctor likely will order a colposcopy and biopsy to be sure.
If your Pap smear results come back as abnormal, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, and your doctor will follow up with other tests to get an accurate diagnosis. If you need a Pap smear or some help understanding your results, call Women's Health Specialists, PLLC at 615-907-2040, or book an appointment online with us today.
