Other things can cause cells to look abnormal, including irritation, some infections (such as a yeast infection), growths (such as polyps in the uterus), and changes in hormones that occur during pregnancy or menopause. Although these things may make cervical cells look abnormal, they are not related to cancer.
Cause. Most abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV infections. Other types of infection—such as those caused by bacteria, yeast, or protozoa (Trichomonas)—sometimes lead to minor changes on a Pap test called atypical squamous cells.
Your doctor may use other words to describe this result, like equivocal, inconclusive, or ASC-US. These all mean the same thing—that your cervical cells look like they could be abnormal. It is not clear if it's related to HPV. It could be related to life changes like pregnancy, menopause, or an infection.
Most women will have at least one abnormal Pap smear result in their lifetime, with an overall average of 5% of all Pap tests coming back as “abnormal.” In most cases, the abnormal result is nothing to worry about, but it's important to follow up to make sure.
If they appear to be abnormal, your doctor will order more tests, including a colposcopy, to find out for sure if it's cancer. Squamous cell cancer or adenocarcinoma cells. This means the cells on your cervix are so abnormal, your doctor is almost certain it's cancer.
An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). Abnormal cervical cells are not the same as cervical cancer. If left untreated, there is a risk that some abnormal cells could go on to develop into cervical cancer in the future.
An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). These changes are not cancer. The cells often go back to normal by themselves. But in some women, if not treated, these changes could develop into cancer in the future.
About 6 out of 10 women who have a colposcopy have abnormal cells in their cervix. The most common type of abnormality is known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN). CIN isn't cancer, but it can sometimes develop into cancer if left untreated.
But sometimes, a health issue that's unrelated to cancer can also cause abnormal Pap results. These include: Hormonal changes from pregnancy or menopause. Infection, like a yeast infection.
Possible reasons for abnormal Pap test results besides cancer include: Vaginal infection. Recent sexual activity. Urinary tract infection (UTI)
ASC-US is the most common abnormal Pap test result. ASC-US stands for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance. “Squamous” refers to the type of cells that make up the tissue that covers the cervix. LSIL—This means that the cervical cells show changes that are mildly abnormal.
An abnormal Pap smear can be concerning, although abnormal results do not always indicate cancer (or any other serious condition). Sometimes, cells become abnormal and eventually return to normal on their own. Other times, abnormal cells are the result of a bacterial infection, HPV infection or yeast infection.
An abnormal Pap smear can be caused by cancerous cells. It can also be caused by other cervical and vaginal abnormalities, including dysplasia (precancerous cells) and inflammation.
About 5% of all Pap tests will be abnormal, meaning that the sample contains atypical cervical cells. However, the majority of these cells are not cancerous or even precancerous. An abnormal Pap test result does not mean cancer, but it does require follow-up to rule out the possibility of cancer.
Cervical cancer usually develops over 10 or more years. There can be a long interval between being infected with HPV, the development of abnormal cells on the cervix and the development of cervical cancer.
It takes 10-15 years for pre-cancer to progress to cancer. If you already have cancer cells, this would show up as malignancy.
Recent sexual activity. Inflammation, irritation and/or semen can affect Pap smear results.
The risk that atypical glandular cell (AGC) abnormalities reflect precancerous changes is as high as 35 percent, the risk of cervical cancer is as high as 1 percent, and the risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer is as high as 3 percent [2,4-6]. For most people with AGC, colposcopy is done as a next step.
Precancerous changes in the cervix usually don't cause any signs or symptoms. An abnormal Pap test result is often the first sign that some cells in the cervix are abnormal. This is why it is important to have regular Pap tests.
Abnormal smears often represent a pre-cancerous abnormality on the cervix. These pre-cancerous abnormalities are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV or Wart virus). This is a very common infection and 60-70% women (and men) get it at some stage in life.
If there are moderate to severe changes in your cervix, your doctor may want to remove the cervical tissue. Typically, your doctor will use the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP), or perform a cold knife cone biopsy as a minor surgical procedure.
You do not need any further tests to check for abnormal cervical cells, even if you have had these in the past. You'll be invited for screening again in 3 or 5 years.