What does it mean if your Pap is HPV positive?
Results from your HPV test will come back as either positive or negative. Positive HPV test. A positive test result means that you have a type of high-risk HPV that’s linked to cervical cancer. It doesn’t mean that you have cervical cancer now, but it’s a warning sign that cervical cancer could develop in the future.
Does abnormal Pap always mean cancer?
About 5% of all Pap tests will be abnormal, meaning that the sample contains atypical cervical cells. However, the majority of these cells are not cancerous or even precancerous. An abnormal Pap test result does not mean cancer, but it does require follow-up to rule out the possibility of cancer.
Which condition would cause a positive Pap smear?
Cause. Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV infections. Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells.
Is an abnormal Pap serious?
Minor cell changes can disappear without the need for treatment, moderate to severe cell changes are more likely to be an indication of precancerous and could turn into cervical cancer. A normal test result indicates that your cervix is healthy. Your doctor will then schedule your next pap smear at All Women’s Care.
What if a Pap smear comes back abnormal?
What Happens After an Abnormal Pap Test? If your Pap test results are abnormal, your doctor may recommend a colposcopy. If you’re told that you need a colposcopy, don’t panic, says Coleman.
Should I be worried about my Pap smear results?
Most abnormal Pap smear results are nothing to worry about Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it’s important to follow up to make sure.
What happens after an abnormal Pap smear?
“I Received an Abnormal Pap Test. What’s Next?” Your next step is usually a minor procedure called a colposcopy. This procedure is a visual examination of the cervix using a low-powered microscope used to find and then biopsy abnormal areas in your cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
What can cause a false positive Pap test?
Co-testing with both Pap and HPV testing is more likely to yield a false positive, which occurs when cervical cells collected during a Pap smear are identified as “abnormal” but are ultimately found not to be cancerous or precancerous.
What is a Pap test used to detect?
Pap tests have long been used to detect cervical cancer early, but preliminary research suggests that cervical cells collected during those tests could also be used to catch other cancers
What if my Pap test results are abnormal?
You may need to come back sooner if you had abnormal results in the past. Abnormal Pap test results: An abnormal test result may also be called a positive test result. An abnormal test result does not mean you have cervical cancer. Possible abnormal findings on a Pap test include ASC-US, AGC, LSIL, ASC-H, HSIL, AIS, or cervical cancer. Your health care provider will recommend follow-up steps you need to take based on your specific test result and your past test results.
What does a false negative Pap test mean?
Some women may be getting false negative results on their routine Pap tests – the traditional method to detect cervical cancer early – because aberrant tissue changes can keep abnormal cells from being picked up during the exam, said a USC study released today.