Cervical Cancer Screening & Treatment for Abnormal Pap

The Pap smear is a medical screening method primarily designed to detect pre-cancerous or cancerous cells of the cervix (the lower part of the womb).  It may also detect infections and abnormalities in the endocervix and endometrium.  For example, the Pap smear can detect the presence of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is known to be the causative agent for cervical cancer.  Having an annual Pap smear is an effective means to prevent cervical cancer cells from ever fully developing into cancer.

An abnormal Pap smear means that the cells of the patient’s cervix have shown some slightly unusual changes and do not look normal.  Some abnormal cells are more likely than others to be cancerous.  Having an abnormal Pap spear does not mean the patient has cancer and in fact, the chances of cancer are small.  The majority of the time the abnormal cell changes are a result of certain types of HPV.  Usually, these cell changes go away on their own.  However, certain types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer (which is why a routine Pap test is so important).  An abnormal Pap smear may also be a result of cells that have changed due to certain types of infections, such as those created by bacteria or yeast.  These infections can be easily treated.  In women who have been through menopause, the Pap smear test may detect cell changes that are simply the result of getting older.

If Pap smear test results are abnormal, a colposcopy would then be performed for further investigation and evaluation.  Any abnormal cells could then eventually be removed via an excisional procedure such as LEEP.  Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer in the United States due to these effective diagnostic tests.

Please contact our office to schedule your annual Pap smear.