Understanding Pap smear results

Your pap results will fall under three main categories: normal, undetermined significance, or abnormal.

· Normal means that your cervical cells have experienced no changes. They are growing and disappearing at a normal pace and at a normal size. If you are between the age of 21 and 65 years old, you will need to repeat your test in 3 years. Women over 30 may opt for a five-year interval when the human papilloma virus (HPV) is tested.

· Undetermined significance means that your cervical cells have experienced changes that might be abnormal. The presence or absence of high-risk HPV will dictate the follow up management.

· Abnormal means that cell changes have occurred in a way that warrants biopsy. Only the biopsy results will confirm if you have cervical cancer. Changes are further categorized in low-risk and high-risk. A surgical procedure called LEEP might be necessary to remove the abnormal cells Close follow up is crucial.

Read this supplementary info about cervical cancer.

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