mom sectionmom sectionThe National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 55 million Pap smears are performed in the United States every year. Of those, about 6 percent return results that are considered atypical or abnormal and require follow-up or re-testing.
Women generally get a pap smear to determine if they have any abnormal results that may indicate a risk for cervical cancer. That could lead to infertility. According to gynob.com, any kind of urinary tract infection can result in an abnormal Pap smear test. Conventional wisdom is for the woman to be assessed for her risk factors for cervical cancer, HPV (human papilloma virus) or other sexually transmitted diseases. Depending on her risk factors, her doctor might recommend a colposcopy.
When a woman's physician calls to say that a pap smear or pap test has come back abnormal, most women will experience a series of emotions including alarm, concern and fear. Since the pap test, a test in which doctors collect a sample of the cells growing around the cervix and test the bacteria levels, is one of the most effective methods of detecting cervical cancer, the news of abnormal results automatically sends up danger signs. However, not all abnormal test results indicate cancer. In particular, the vaginal region contains more than 20 different strains of bacteria, some of which…
Pap smear tests According to the Department of Health and Human Services, "can find infections and abnormal cervical cells that can turn into cancer cells." But cancer is not always the reason for abnormal pap smear results.
Very rarely will ovarian cysts cause abnormal pap smears, as this screening is designed to detect cervical and vaginal cancers. Understand how ovarian cysts affect pap smears with information from a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist in this free video on women's health.
The pap smear is an early intervention screening test used to detect cellular cervical changes. Understanding the causes of an abnormal pap smear can help ease a woman's mind and help prevent a "false positive" result. It's important to understand the emotional effects and benefits of an abnormal pap smear.
Abnormal pap smears are caused by cellular changes found on or inside a woman's cervix. Pap smears are swabs of cervical cells that are taken to labs for testing to determine whether cells are normal or abnormal. Abnormal pap smears occur for a variety of reasons, and some changes can be more severe. Women can take proactive steps with their gynecological health by visiting their primary care doctor or obstetrician/gynecologist every two years for a pap smear.
