nothing else needs to be done. A positive one will mean starting an appropriate monitoring program to ensure that the strain of HPV you have doesn’t put you at risk for cervical cancer. With the other types, the process is a little more involved.
To move forward, your doctor will need to know if the precancerous cells are low or high level. Low-level precancerous cells are less likely to become cancerous while high-level cells are the reason for more concern.
Doctors typically recommend doing a colposcopy and biopsy where your cervix is assessed under special conditions to determine which abnormal cells need to be collected for further analysis.
After the biopsy confirms the type of cells you’re dealing with, your doctor will have different options. Low-level cells don’t usually call for immediate action so don’t be surprised if you’re only asked to do more regular pap smears.
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In some cases, your doctor may opt to remove the abnormal cells through a less invasive procedure such as cold therapy, which freezes them. With high-level cells, however, another procedure known as the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is used to remove the cervical tissue.
If the presence of cancer is confirmed, then your doctor is likely to move forward with treatment. The treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery to remove the affected tissue.
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The Next Steps
With the first three types of abnormal cells, you can expect more follow-up doctor visits as well as more frequent pap smears. Your doctor may also recommend HPV tests as well. If you’re undergoing treatment for cervical cancer, then the monitoring will be more extensive. Tests to ensure that the treatment is working will also be a part of your overall health program.
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Nobody wants to hear that their pap smear test results showed abnormal cells but it can happen. Fortunately, there is a well-respected way forward when dealing with these cells. It’s best to act quickly as well so you should never delay getting the tests or procedures that your doctor recommends. Regardless of what the final outcome is, it’s always better to start treatments quickly.
