What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a screening test your doctor does to check for precancer or early cancer of the cervix. The cervix is the opening to the uterus, or womb. Usually Pap smears find problems early - while they are still easy to treat. Before Pap smears were available, cancer of the cervix was common and often fatal. Today, cancer of the cervix is rare and easily treated in women who have regular Pap smears.

Does an abnormal Pap smear mean I have cancer of the cervix?

Not necessarily. While an abnormal Pap smear may be a sign of cancer, many different changes on your cervix can cause an abnormal Pap smear. Pap smears can be abnormal if the cervix is inflamed or irritated. This can be caused by an infection of the cervix, douching, menopausal changes, or irritation. The cervix may also be going through some changes called dysplasia. Dysplasia means the cells on the Pap smear look abnormal under the microscope. Dysplasia isn't the same thing as cancer but may lead to cancer if it is not treated.

Why do I need more tests?

Because your Pap smear was abnormal, more information is needed. An abnormal Pap smear is a general sign that something may be wrong. Further tests will be needed to show what (if anything) is actually wrong. You may need another Pap smear or a colposcopy.

What is a colposcopy?

A colposcope is a special instrument that shines a light on your cervix and magnifies it (like a microscope) so that it can be seen better. If your doctor sees an area that doesn't look normal, he or she will take a small piece of tissue from that area. This is called a biopsy. The tissue sample will be looked at under a microscope. Having a colposcopy feels similar to having a Pap smear but takes a little longer. But some women have some cramping and bleeding during or after a colposcopy.

What are my treatment options?

Your treatment options depend on the cause of the abnormal results. If the problems is a minor infection, it often can be treated with medication. If the abnormal Pap smear is caused by changes in the cells, the affected areas of the cervix may need to be removed. There are several kinds of treatment to remove abnormal tissue from the cervix . The surface of the cervix may be frozen in a procedure called cryosurgery. Another method called LEEP uses a tiny electrical wire that acts like a very sharp scaple to remove the abnormal areas. These treatments may be done in your doctor's office. If the procedure is done with the wire, your cervix will be numbed with a medicine before the procedure is started. If the colposcopy and biopsy show that you have more advanced cancer, you and your doctor may want to talk with a cancer specialist before deciding what to do next.

What happens after I have been treated?

That depends on what abnormalities are found and how they are treated. In general, most women who have an abnormal Pap smear need to have Pap smears more often for a while after they have been treated. Your doctor will let you know how often you will need to have Pap smears. Once your Pap has returned to normal and continues to be normal, you and your doctor will decide how often the test should be repeated. This information provides a general overview on abnormal Pap smears and may not apply to everyone.