My Pap Test Was Abnormal. Now What?

You recently went in for an annual exam and found out that your Pap test result was “abnormal.” Not sure what that means? The Pap test was created to determine your risk of cervical cancer by checking for changes in the cells of your cervix. Abnormal test results usually do not mean you have cancer; most often they mean there is a small problem with your cervix.

Abnormal changes in your cervix are generally caused by genital human papillomavirus (HPV), and are rated by minor (low-grade) or serious (high-grade). Some abnormal cells do turn into cancer, but most of the time these unhealthy cells go away on their own. Your doctor will probably repeat a Pap test if the results are unclear or show a small change in the cervix cells.

If the tests find more serious changes in the cervix cells, your doctor will likely suggest more powerful testing to help decide on better treatment. These tests include:

• Colposcopy: Your physician uses a tool called a colposcope to see the vaginal and cervical cells in detail. Sometimes physicians will use a LUMA Cervical Imaging System right after colposcopy, shining a light on the cervix to see how different areas of the cervix respond to the light, and scoring tiny areas that help them decide where to further test the tissue with a biopsy.
• Endocervical curettage: Your physician uses a small spoon-shaped tool called curette to take a cell samples from the endocervical canal.
• Biopsy: Removal of a small sample of cervical tissue to be studied further at a laboratory.

Should your Pap test indicate that follow-up care is necessary, please know that Riverview Health will be here to help you find a solution.

Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.

Source: WomensHealth.gov