doesn’t mean “cancerous.” Most abnormal cells die on their own without ever turning into cancer. Further testing will help your doctor decide on the best course of action.
Doctors have a system for classifying results. Most tests come back completely normal. But here are some of the other possibilities:
- ASC (Atypical squamous cell). This means that some of the cells on the surface of the cervix (squamous cells) aren’t entirely normal, but they aren’t obviously precancerous, either.
- AGC (Atypical glandular cell). AGC means that there were some cells from the lining of the cervix (glandular cells) that aren’t entirely normal. As with ASC, though, they aren’t necessarily precancerous.
- LSIL (Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion). This is a mild abnormality that’s caused by an infection of the human papilloma virus (HPV). It’s usually harmless.
- Precancerous: This means that you have cells that likely would have turned into cancer if left on their own. You’ll need further tests and treatments to protect you from real trouble down the road.
- HSIL (High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion). These are precancerous cells that have the potential to turn into particularly aggressive cancer. Obviously, it’s extremely important to get the right follow-up treatment to prevent this cancer before it starts.
- AIS (Adenocarcinoma in situ). These are precancerous cells that came from glandular tissue.
- Cancerous: In some cases, the Pap smear finds cells that have already turned to cancer. If this happens, your doctor will likely refer you to a cancer specialist (oncologist).
How accurate is the Pap smear?
No screening test is perfect, the Pap smear included. In rare cases, a test may come back as abnormal even though the cells are perfectly healthy. This is known as a false positive. Or a test may come back as normal even though there were some cells that should have raised a red flag. This is called a false negative.
In each case, the mistake is usually fixed. If your test was mistakenly labeled “abnormal,” follow-up tests will show that you’re perfectly fine. If a test missed some abnormal cells, they should show up on your next pap smear before they have a chance to turn to cancer.
RELATED: What To Expect During Your Pap Smear
How to prepare for a pap smear
To ensure that your Pap smear is most effective, follow these tips prior to your test provided by the Mayo Clinic:
- Avoid intercourse, douching, or using any vaginal medicines or spermicidal foams, creams or jellies for two days before having a Pap smear, as these may wash away or obscure abnormal cells.
- Try not to schedule a Pap smear during your menstrual period. It’s best to avoid this time of your cycle, if possible.