are abnormal pap smears normal?
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The Pap smear is a screening test to pick up pre-cancerous abnormalities in the cervix before they become cancer. So the vast majority of abnormal pap smears that you might get a call about are actually not cancer.
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Turaka says the most common cervical cancer symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding, which typically occurs after the cancer has spread to nearby tissue. Although women often think bleeding is normal spotting, it's important to see your doctor if you experience: Bleeding between menstrual periods.
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It doesn't mean you have cervical cancer. Most often, the abnormal test result means there have been cell changes caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). That's the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and can be linked to cervical cancer.
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Is it normal to bleed after a smear test? It turns out, bleeding after a cervical screening is not unheard of. "After a smear test, some people might have some light bleeding (or spotting)," explains Imogen Pinnell, Health Information Manager at Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.
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For both tests a doctor or nurse takes a sample of cells from the cervix. However, the Pap smear test used to look for abnormal cells in the cervix, while the Cervical Screening Test looks for HPV infection. The new test for HPV can identify women who could be at risk of cervical cancer earlier than the Pap test could.
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Years ago, women had a Pap smear at each annual visit, but today Pap smears have improved and we know cervical cancer takes many years to develop. Women should start Pap smear screening at age 21. Between the ages of 21-29, women whose Pap smears are normal only need it repeated every three years.
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What does this Pap test diagnosis mean? Negative for Intraepithelial Lesion or Malignancy (NILM): The Pap test revealed no abnormal cell changes. All squamous and glandular cells seen have normal-appearing cellular material. Recommendations will vary depending on your individual risk factors.
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Pap smears shouldn't hurt. If you're getting your first Pap, it may feel a little uncomfortable because it's a new sensation that your body isn't yet used to. People often say it feels like a small pinch, but everyone has a different threshold for pain.
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A Pap smear is used to screen for cervical cancer. The Pap smear is usually done in conjunction with a pelvic exam. In women older than age 30, the Pap test may be combined with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) — a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer.
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A Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a screening performed in your doctor's office (typically by a gynecologist, but nurse practitioners and family doctors also perform them).
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A Pap smear can be uncomfortable. It's not uncommon to experience cramping or mild bleeding as a result of the screening. However, heavy bleeding or severe cramping isn't normal.
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This is the most common abnormal pap result. Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) – This means the cervical cells show mildly abnormal changes, which usually are caused by an HPV infection that will go away on its own.
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Expand Section. An abnormal result means you have a high-risk type of HPV. High-risk types of HPV may cause cervical cancer and cancer of the throat, tongue, anus, or vagina. Most of the time, cervical cancer related to HPV is due to the following types: HPV-16 (high risk type)
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High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions look somewhat to very abnormal when looked at under a microscope. They are usually caused by chronic infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and are found when a Pap test or biopsy are done.
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This means that abnormal cells were found on the surface of the cervix. CIN is usually caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and is found when a cervical biopsy is done. CIN is not cancer, but may become cancer and spread to nearby normal tissue if not treated.
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Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) and is a common abnormal finding on a Pap test. It usually goes away on its own without treatment but sometimes the abnormal cells become cancer and spread to nearby normal tissue.
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Abnormal Pap Smears are typically caused by strains of the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV. An abnormal pap smear result does not mean you have cervical cancer. High risk strains can cause more serious cellular changes. Typically, both high and low risk strains of HPV go away within 24 months.