A pap smear is a routine test typically performed during a gynecological exam. It’s a test to determine the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells, specifically cervical cancer. Pap smear testing is important because cervical cancer is a type of cancer which often doesn’t have any warning signs or symptoms until the cancer is in the later stages.
During a pap smear, cells are collected from the cervix and sent off to a laboratory for testing. Most test results come back negative, however, there are a few instances where you may have an abnormal pap smear.
Reasons for an abnormal pap smear include:
If you have an abnormal pap test result, your OBGYN doctor will consider these factors when developing next steps:
Your OBGYN doctor may recommend these next steps after an abnormal pap smear:
When your OBGYN doctor recommends a colposcopy, during the exam, your OBGYN doctor will apply a vinegar solution to the cervix to highlight abnormal areas. A colposcope is then used to light and magnify the cervix and check abnormal areas. A tissue sample can be taken for a biopsy to diagnose cervical cancer.
If your OBGYN doctor recommends receiving treatment for high grade cervical cell changes, treatment may include:
To learn more about the importance of pap smear testing and management of an abnormal pap smear result, call your OBGYN doctor today.
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