Routine examination of the cervix
What does your abnormal result mean?
You had an abnormal result from the cervical screening test (PAP). The cervical smear test is designed to detect small changes before problems arise. An abnormal result is not uncommon: about one in twelve smears is found to be abnormal. It’s important to remember that these abnormalities are extremely rare to be cancerous. Almost all abnormal smears show no more than minor changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes act as an early warning sign that, over time, cervical cancer may develop.
What does my result mean?
An abnormal result usually means that small changes have been detected in the cells on the cervix (the neck of the womb). The term given to these changes is dyskaryosis.
In many cases, these changes return to normal on their own. But sometimes, the changes worsen and could lead to cancer in the future. In such cases, further examination is necessary, which could indicate the need for treatment. The treatment is simple and essentially 100% effective.
Fortunately, it usually takes many years for cervical cancer to develop. It is, therefore, very rare, especially in women who undergo regular screening, for an abnormal result to indicate that cancer has already developed.
What do I do now?
For many women, an abnormal result will show borderline changes or mild dyskaryosis.
These are small changes that often return to normal on their own.
The changes are not cancer, and in most cases, they do not lead to cancer in the future.
It is safe to give these minor changes the opportunity to return to normal on their own without immediate treatment.
If you have any of these results, your doctor will ask you to return for another smear test – a repeat smear – in six months.
If the repeat smear is normal, you will be asked to have another smear test in six to twelve months to ensure that the cells are still healthy. If they are healthy, you will return to routine screening as before.
If the repeat smear continues to show borderline changes or mild dyskaryosis, you may be recommended for further examination – called colposcopy.
For some women, their result will show moderate or severe dyskaryosis.
It is unlikely that you have cancer. However, these changes are less likely to return to normal on their own and usually require treatment. To decide if you need treatment, a further examination is performed, called colposcopy, for a detailed investigation of the cervix. It is important for these changes to be checked now in case they become more severe in the future.
What is colposcopy?
This is a simple examination that allows the doctor to decide if treatment is needed. It uses an instrument called a colposcope – just a magnifying lens that allows the doctor to examine the changes on your cervix more closely. It does not go inside the vagina, but some women may find the examination somewhat uncomfortable.
What happens with treatment?
If you need treatment after colposcopy, you will usually be treated as an outpatient, and you won’t need to stay in the hospital. Treatment is almost always 100 percent successful.
What follow-up will I need?
After treatment, you will need regular check-ups to ensure that the cervix is healthy again. You will need annual smear tests (PAP smears) for the next four or five years.
What about sexual intercourse?
Some women worry that sex will worsen the problem and that abnormal changes could be transferred to their partners. Sexual contact does not worsen the abnormality, and you cannot transmit changes or abnormal cells. Enjoy sex as usual, but you should use effective contraception. It is important not to get pregnant until your abnormality is treated, as hormones produced during pregnancy make the treatment more challenging. If you undergo treatment, it will have little or no impact on your future fertility, and there is no risk of miscarriage due to it.
What causes an abnormal result?
The exact cause of changes in the cervix cells is still unknown. However, these changes are often associated with a virus that can be transmitted through sexual contact.
For more information
If you have further questions about your case or if you feel at all concerned, do not hesitate to call or schedule an appointment with your doctor, who will be happy to speak with you.
Some reassuring information
- It is not uncommon to have an abnormal smear result: approximately one in twelve smears is abnormal.
- Almost all abnormal smears do not show more than minor changes in the cells on the cervix.
- Treatment, if needed, is simple and essentially 100% effective. You usually receive treatment without the need for hospitalization. Once the treatment is completed, your body will not be affected in any way.
You can have sex within a few weeks after treatment. Having an abnormal smear and then following up with treatment does not affect your ability to have children.
