Abnormal Pap Smear Results? Here’s What To Do Next
Pap test or Pap smear is an examination carried out to determine if a woman has cervical cancer. The test looks for the presence of cancerous and precancerous cells on your cervix. Your cervix is an opening of your uterus. Detecting cancerous cells early with a Pap test gives you a greater chance to fight the disease successfully. A Pap test can detect changes in your cervical cells that can increase the likelihood of developing cervical cancer. Detecting these abnormal cells early is vital in stopping the possibility of cervical cancer. Women between the ages of 21 to 29 should have a pap test every three years. Women between 30 to 65 should have them combined with an HPV test (Human papillomavirus test) every five years. Women with certain medical conditions with a history of cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS, or those who have a weakened immune system will need more frequent tests. Why is the Pap test done? We carry the Pap test out for the following purposes:- Screen and diagnose precancerous cells present in your cervix. Screen and diagnose precancerous cells present in your vagina Diagnose infection or inflammation in the lower reproductive system. Follow-up tests or monitoring tests after precancerous cells have been found during previous Pap tests. Determine if the abnormal cells or cancer cells have returned after treatment. During your Pap test, the best gynecologist in Pune will take samples from your vagina with the help of a spatula to scrape samples from the vagina. They place the collected samples in a special liquid. The sample sent to a laboratory for analysis. Tests results are available after a week or two of your Pap test. What the results of a Pap test mean? Pap tests are classified into abnormal results or normal results. Normal results are also called negative results. It means that no abnormal cells were found and you are cancer-free. Abnormal pap test results do not always indicate cancer or precancerous cells. Abnormal cells can become normal on their own or can be cancerous if left untreated. Abnormal cells can be classified into:- Squamous cell collected from the surface of the cervix or vagina Glandular cells collected from inside your cervical canal. What causes changes? Abnormal pap test is usually caused by certain types of HPV. HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer. HPV is sexually transmitted infected. Usually, the HPV goes away on its own. But cells infected with the HPV virus can become precancerous. Changes in cervical cells can also be caused by:- Viral, bacterial or yeast infection Swelling or tenderness Noncancerous growths such as polyps or cysts. What happens if your pap test results are abnormal? If your Pap test results are abnormal the best gynecologist in Pune may recommend a colposcopy. The procedure is similar to the Pap test. During the procedure, your gynecologist will use a magnifying lens to look for abnormal cells. Acetic acid will be used during the procedure will turn abnormal cells white. Once the abnormal cells are found your gynecologist will perform a biopsy where small tissue is taken for further testing. Treatment options after abnormal pap test results? After colposcopy, the gynecologist near me will explain the results of your tissue sample. The changes can be low grade, your gynecologist may adopt a wait and watch approach. For moderate to high-grade changes, the doctor may evaluate more options that may include removing cervical tissues.
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