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Pap smears aren’t fun. This screening procedure requires a cold speculum and total exposure, making it easy to place it very low on your priority list.
However, Pap smears are vital tests that gently scrape away cells from your cervix to check for abnormal cell growth. All women over the age of 25 should receive Pap smears every 3-5 years to check for cervical changes, particularly cancer of the cervix. This test allows for early detection and effective treatment.
At Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, Jennifer Afman, CNM, leads our gynecology team in performing Pap smears as significant preventive measures against cervical cancer. This month’s blog explores what might happen should you get an abnormal Pap smear test result.
Understanding your Pap smear test results
You should receive the results from your Pap smear about a week after your procedure. The test can come back as negative, inconclusive, or abnormal. If your Pap smear is negative, you don’t have to worry about further testing, and you can schedule your next one for a few years down the road.
However, should your test be inconclusive or abnormal, we need to schedule a repeat Pap smear or other tests. It’s important to understand that an abnormal Pap smear doesn’t guarantee cancer. Plenty of things can trigger an abnormal reading; further testing can determine the cause of the abnormal Pap smear.
What comes after an abnormal Pap smear?
These are some next steps that we may recommend after you receive an abnormal Pap smear reading:
Repeat Pap smear
Sometimes, fluctuations in hormone levels or recent sexual activity can cause your Pap smear to come back abnormal. A repeat test can help us determine if the first one was a false positive.
HPV testing
If you have a sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, it can also cause your Pap smear to be abnormal. We can perform further testing to either confirm or rule out HPV.
Colposcopy
During a colposcopy, we place a speculum in your vagina to get a clear view of your cervix. Next, we use a colposcope, a tool to look very closely at the cells in your cervix. This step allows us to spot any abnormal tissue and remove it for testing, known as a biopsy.
Schedule your next Pap smear today
If you haven’t had a Pap smear in a while, don’t delay getting your next one. This test is a vital preventive measure for cervical cancer and can detect precancerous cells. To book a Pap smear with us, call your nearest office location or use our convenient online scheduler. We proudly serve the Marietta and Powder Springs, Georgia, areas.