If your Pap test results are abnormal, it does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), a widespread virus passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Atlanta abnormal pap smears and HPV require further probing to help establish whether you are at risk of cervical cancer.
A Pap test is an important part of staying healthy as a woman. A Pap test is a simple and painless procedure that can be done in your doctor’s office. During a Pap test, your doctor will use a small device called a speculum to open your vagina. They will next take cells from your cervix, the bottom portion of your uterus that opens into your vagina. These cells will be sent to a laboratory to be tested for HPV or human papillomavirus.
What is HPV?
HPV is so prevalent that almost all sexually active men and women contract it at some point in their lives. It is a family of more than 150 viruses. Some varieties can cause health issues, such as genital warts and cancer. There are numerous forms of HPV, and not all are harmful to one’s health.
What is a Pap test?
It is also known as a Pap smear is a regular cervical cancer screening test. It entails taking cell samples from your cervix (the lower, narrow end of your uterus connected to your vagina). These cells are then analyzed for symptoms of illness using a microscope.
What do abnormal Pap results mean?
An abnormal Pap test result indicates that your doctor discovered abnormalities in your cervix’s cells. These changes could be caused by HPV or other factors, such as inflammation or infection. However, in some cases, they can lead to cancer. This is why it is important to follow up with your doctor if you get abnormal Pap results.
What are the different types of abnormal Pap results?
There are the main types of abnormal Pap results:
- Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL): There are abnormal cells in your cervix, but they are not cancerous. LSIL is often caused by HPV.
- High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL): There are abnormal cells in your cervix, and they are more likely to become cancerous. HSIL is often caused by HPV.
Not all species of HPV are cancerous. Most people who have HPV do not even know they have it.
Some of the types of HPV include:
- HPV 6 and 11: These HPV types can cause genital warts.
- HPV 16 and 18: These are the high-risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.
- HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 are the other high-risk HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.
If you have abnormal Pap results, it is important to follow up with your doctor. Most of the time, these changes are not cancerous and can go away on their own. However, in some cases, they can lead to cancer. So it is important to get checked out by your specialist at Ideal Gynecology, LLC, to ensure everything is okay.
