PAP Smear Test - Cervical Smear Text

My PAP smear test (cervical smear) shows abnormal cells. Does this mean that I have cancer?

Almost certainly not, although, no doubt, this is the anxiety that any woman has on learning that her smear shows an abnormality. Abnormal cells on a smear test usually mean that there may be pre-malignant changes. It is unusual for an abnormal smear to indicate that the cervix has already become malignant. These days pre-malignant conditions of the cervix can be treated before malignancy occurs.

Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-

Women's understanding of abnormal PAP test (cervical smear) test. A qualitative interview study (1997)

Please click on the required question.

Q 21. 1 What is the cervix?
Q 21. 2 What is a cervical polyp?
Q 21. 3 What is meant by cervical erosion (ectopy) and cervicitis?
Q 21. 4  What is the transformation zone?
Q 21. 5 What is a 'Paptest' (PAP test (cervical smear) test)
Q 21. 6  My PAP smear test (cervical smear) shows inflammation. Should I be worried?
Q 21. 7  What are cells and what is an abnormal (pre- malignant) cell?
Q 21. 8 My PAP smear test (cervical smear) shows abnormal cells. Does this mean that I have cancer?
Q 21. 9  What is meant by the terms pre-malignant cells, dyskaryosis, dysplasia and CIN?
Q 21. 10  What are the symptoms of pre-malignancy of the cervix?
Q 21. 11  What are benign and malignant tumours?
Q 21. 12  Why have I developed a pre-malignant condition of my cervix?
Q 21. 13  What is colposcopy?
Q 21. 14  What treatments are available for pre-malignant conditions of the cervix?
Q 21. 15  Can pre-malignant conditions of the cervix be cured?
Q 21. 16  How can I be re-assured that the pre-malignant changes will not recur?
Q 21. 17  How can we prevent carcinoma of the cervix?
Q 21. 18  Is there a reason to screen for HPV?
Q 21. 19  Support Groups.
Q 21. 20  Are there any support groups?

Do you have an unanswered women's health question?

Please let us have your general question on our NEW FORUM / MESSAGE BOARDS facility and we will try to answer it for you. I am sure that you will appreciate that we cannot offer advice on the management of an individual's specific problem.

DISCLAIMER

The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.
Answers to FAQs on women's health, patient information and medical advice by David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (Gynecologist - OBGYN), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Whipps Cross University Hospital, London