A positive result does not confirm that a person has cancer, but it indicates that more investigation is necessary. Sometimes the result is ambiguous. The doctor may ask the person to have more tests to monitor for any changes. These additional tests are likely to take place either soon after the first test or about 6 months later.
Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance ASCUS : These are mildly abnormal cells that do not meet the criteria for precancerous cells.
If HPV is present, the doctor may recommend additional testing. Squamous intraepithelial lesion : These lesions indicate possible precancerous cellular changes that are likely to need further testing. During a colposcopy, the doctor uses a colposcope to magnify the view of the cervix, vulva, and vagina for examination.
They may take a biopsy sample for evaluation in a laboratory. Low-grade lesion : The risk of a low-grade lesion imminently progressing to cancer is minimal. High-grade lesion : A high-grade lesion has a high likelihood of becoming cancerous sooner rather than later. Atypical glandular cells : There are abnormal cells in the endocervix that will need further testing.
Squamous cell cancer or adenocarcinoma : There is a likelihood of cancer, depending on the type of cell that is atypical. Further testing is necessary. In , the ACS estimate that there will be around 13, new diagnoses of invasive cervical cancer in the United States and approximately 4, deaths. There are often no symptoms until the later stages, when there may be bleeding or discharge from the vagina.
This is why it is important to attend screening. Risk factors for developing cervical cancer include :. Doctors also do not recommend douching, as this can increase the likelihood of exposing the vagina to bacterial infection. HPV is a virus that can lead to cervical cancer in some cases. There are over types of HPV. Some types, for example, type 16 and 19, can lead to cervical cancer. Other types can lead to different complications, such as noncancerous warts or papillomas.
HPV can pass from one person to another during vaginal, anal, or oral sex when there is skin-to-skin contact. There is no cure, but the infection often resolves in time. However, if HPV becomes a long-term infection, the risk of cancer increases. Vaccination is available to protect against HPV infection.
Until recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC have recommended that young women have the vaccine up to the age of 26 years and young men up to 21 years.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix. Before developing into cancer, cervical cells undergo abnormal changes that a Pap test can detect. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the chances of surviving cervical cancer are good. Screening Tests.
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Intramural Research. Extramural Research. Cancer Research Workforce. Partners in Cancer Research. What Are Cancer Research Studies. Research Studies. Get Involved. Cancer Biology Research. Cancer Genomics Research. After that, the test may be more painful. You should also wait until 12 weeks after giving birth to increase the accuracy of your results.
Your doctor will slowly insert a device called a speculum into your vagina. This device keeps the vaginal walls open and provides access to the cervix. Your doctor will scrape a small sample of cells from your cervix. There are a few ways your doctor can take this sample:. The sample of cells from your cervix will be preserved and sent to a lab to be tested for the presence of abnormal cells.
After the test, you might feel mild discomfort from the scraping or a bit of cramping. You could also experience very light vaginal bleeding immediately following the test. Tell your doctor if discomfort or bleeding continues after the day of the test. If your results are normal, that means that no abnormal cells were identified. Normal results are sometimes also referred to as negative. It simply means that there are abnormal cells on your cervix, some of which could be precancerous.
There are several levels of abnormal cells:. During a colposcopy exam, your doctor will use light and magnification to see vaginal and cervical tissues more clearly. In some cases, they may also take a sample of your cervical tissue in a procedure called a biopsy. Pap tests are very accurate. Regular Pap screenings reduce cervical cancer rates and mortality by at least 80 percent.
It can be uncomfortable, but the brief discomfort can help protect your health. The main purpose of a Pap smear test is to identify cellular changes in the cervix, which could be caused by HPV.
By detecting cervical cancer cells early with a Pap smear, treatment can start before it spreads and becomes a bigger concern. You can contract HPV from having sex with men or women. To lower your risk of contracting the virus, practice sex with a condom or other barrier method. All sexually active women are at risk for contracting HPV and should get a Pap smear at least every three years. Genital human papillomavirus HPV infection is a common sexually transmitted infection STI caused by human papillomavirus.
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