My Pap Test Results Were Abnormal: Do I Have Cervical Cancer?

There’s nothing fun about getting a Pap test. The stirrups, cold speculum, and feeling of total exposure are enough to make anyone squirm. 

Still, we’re proud of you for coming in for your exam and recognizing how essential it is to sustain your health. 

This uncomfortable process helps us detect cellular changes and is often the first line of defense against serious diseases like cervical cancer. 

However, not all cellular changes are necessarily full-blown cancer. Dr. Caleigh Rodriguez and our team explain it all in this blog. 

Get to know the Pap

We recommend Pap tests for women aged 21 to 65 years old. We perform them during a routine pelvic exam, allowing us to detect early cellular changes in your cervix. 

The presence of abnormal cervical cells, called cervical dysplasia, is a precancerous condition often caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections — over 42 million people have it, and nearly everyone has it at some point in their lives. 

But note that cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition, which means it can turn into cervical cancer if left untreated. 

Meet HPV

There are over 200 strains of HPV, and depending on which you have, you’re either at a high or low risk for developing cancer. Fortunately, most HPV strains don’t pose a serious risk to your health, and most abnormal Pap test results don’t end in a cancer diagnosis. 

Low-risk HPV can cause warts on or around your mouth, throat, genitals, or anus. High-risk HPV can cause a variety of cancers, including cervical cancer. 

Most HPV infections are short-lived and resolve on their own. However, a high-risk infection can last for years and result in significant cellular damage and change. 

So, do I have cancer?

If your Pap test came back “abnormal,” don’t consider it a cancer diagnosis. Several things could be happening behind the scenes. It’s even possible there were lab test errors. Most often, it means HPV has caused cellular changes. 

Types of abnormal cells

There are several different types of abnormal cells, the most common being:

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)

ASCUS occurs when the cells on the surface of a healthy cervix (squamous cells) don’t look normal, but there’s no apparent cause for the abnormality. 

We use a solution applied to the cervix to determine if HPV is present. If it isn’t, there’s usually no need for concern.

Squamous intraepithelial lesion

These cells may be precancerous, and we classify their changes as low-grade or high-grade. If low-grade, the cells may not become cancerous for many years. If the cells are high-grade, cancer could develop much faster.

We usually need more testing, including a colposcopy, a procedure that shows changes in the cervix, and a biopsy of cervical tissue to confirm cancer.

Atypical glandular cells

Glandular cells grow in the cervix opening and along the uterus walls and produce mucus. If classified as abnormal, we need a colposcopy to determine if cancer is present.

Squamous cell cancer or adenocarcinoma cells

If the cells on your cervix are abnormal, cancer is likely. We order a colposcopy and biopsy to be sure and then assess the extent and aggressiveness of the cancer. 

The Pap test is a key component of our comprehensive women’s health services. But we know that results from this exam can be confusing and concerning. That’s why we always keep an open line of communication and walk our patients through every step of their care. 

If you need a Pap test or want to change your care, call our friendly staff at 830-745-4631 or use our online booking feature to schedule a women’s health exam. We proudly serve women in the New Braunfels, Texas, area.