What it means when you get an abnormal Pap smear result

For some women just the thought of going to get a Pap smear is terrifying. So you can imagine the feeling when I, at the age of twenty-one and from my second Pap smear ever, was told that my results were abnormal.
My doctor told me that it wasn’t cancer and not to worry, but this was offering me no relief or comfort. If it wasn’t cancer then what was it? What did abnormal mean? She kept using all these terms and phrases that I had no idea about and it was the thought of the unknown that was the most terrifying.
Before it happened to me I had no idea that you could have results from a Pap smear that weren’t either perfectly normal or cervical cancer. Nobody tells you about the stuff that’s in between and after my own experience I think it’s important for all women to know every outcome and why having regular Pap tests is so important. If I hadn’t had a Pap smear, I might have ended up with cervical cancer. It was because of regular testing that they could treat it before it got to that stage.
What does an abnormal result mean?
The Australian Cervical Council Foundation (ACCF) website explains that there are two categories of abnormalities that can show up on a Pap smear result.
The first is inflammation, which is often caused by an irritation from a bacterial infection or thrush. Further treatment is usually unnecessary.
The second is low-grade or high-grade abnormality (also known as CIN 1 AND CIN 2). I had both. Some of my cells showed low-grade abnormalities whilst some showed high grade.
If either abnormality is indicated from your Pap smear it means that you have an infection called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). According to the National Cervical Screening Program ‘Anyone who has ever had sex can have HPV- it’s so common that four out of five people will have had HPV at some time in their lives. In most cases, it clears up by itself in one to two years. In rare cases, if left undetected, it can lead to cervical cancer – this usually takes about 10 years.’
Hiranthi Perera, Program Manager at PapScreen Victoria says that ‘High-grade abnormalities are more serious and more likely to develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. It is impossible to tell which high-grade changes will develop into cervical cancer and which will not. This is why it’s important to get any high-grade changes treated if your doctor advises it. Even for high-grade abnormalities, treatment is usually simple and effective if detected early.’
What is a Colposcopy?
Because my pap smear showed high-grade abnormalities, the next step was to have a colposcopy. A colposcopy is when a specialist examines your cervix using a magnifying instrument called a colposcope. I was also told that because of my Pap smear results, a biopsy would most likely be taken at the same time.
The experience is quite similar to having a regular Pap smear, except it takes about ten minutes longer. The National Cervical Screening Program explains that ‘If the colposcopy shows only a low-grade abnormality, you will not usually require a biopsy.’ My colposcopy showed high-grade as well as low-grade abnormalities, so I was required to have a biopsy. Some women experience a sharp pinch when the biopsy is taken but I can honestly say that I didn’t feel any pain. Once the colposcopy is over, it takes around 7-10 days for the results.
Further treatment
After my colposcopy results, I had a wire loop excision (also known as LEEP or LLETZ) to remove the abnormal cells. The procedure was completed in the clinic’s day surgery and I was put under general anesthetic. I was able to go home the same day and returned to work two days later. Other procedures to remove abnormal cells can be a cone biopsy, laser treatment or diathermy. It will depend on the type of abnormality and what your doctor thinks as to which treatment will be best for you.
What if I’ve had the cervical cancer vaccine?
I was at school when the cervical cancer vaccine was introduced. I had all three needles and never thought I would have an abnormal pap smear. But I did. I am the perfect example as to why you still need to have regular pap smears even if you’ve had the vaccine.
Hiranthi Perera, Program Manager at Papsmear Victoria says, “Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers - having a Pap test every two years will reduce your risk of developing the disease by around 90 per cent. Pap tests check for abnormal cell changes before they become cancerous, when treatment is usually straightforward and effective.”
It’s important to know that while the vaccine does protect you from some forms of HPV, it doesn’t make you immune. Perera says “There are many strains of HPV that can cause cervical cancer. The vaccine protects against two strains of HPV (16 and 18) that cause around 70 per cent of cervical cancers.” By having regular Pap smears you are protecting yourself from the remaining 30 per cent, which could potentially turn into cervical cancer. If abnormal cells are detected early, there is a high chance they can be removed before turning into cancer and that is definitely worth a few minutes of awkwardness every two years.
Have you ever had an abnormal pap smear? Did you know it was possible to have abnormal results that weren’t cervical cancer?
89 Member Comments
yes i have had both an abnormal papsmear and a colposcopy
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Thanks for relating your experience. I'm very young (18) and have never experienced a Pap smear before but will be knowledgeable about this issue if I get an abnormal result, thanks to your article!
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Thanks for relating your experience. I'm very young (18) and have never experienced a Pap smear before but will be knowledgeable about this issue if I get an abnormal result, thanks to your article!
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Pap tests can be life savers!
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I had an abnormal result last time and it really scared me. So important have regular checks beauties
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Regular pap smears are an absolute must. Very informative article.
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Yes and yes. Very scary stuff.
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i am a cancer battler. 1st time was found when i was pregnant with my daughter. Never skip a papsmear. Get more than one every two years. We can win the battle
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I never had regular pap smears. Then one day i ended up in hospital in agony. Turns out I had 5 tumours & one had ruptured. End result was I ended up being rushed into surgery for an emergency hystorectomy & almost died. I lost everything including my cervix & almost lost my bowel as well. If Id gone for regular pap smears the problem wouldve been diagnosed earlier & i wouldnt of needed the hysterectomy. So make sure you do have regular pap smears. They may be a little uncomfortable & embarrasing but what i went thru was a whole lot worse
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yes have had an abnormal pap smear. It seemed to self correct with the next test though
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Just goes to show that despite it being terrifying to go, sometimes it can be even more terrifying to not go and leave things untreated. It is always better to find out before its too late. Hope all is good now.
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interesting article
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This is a great, informative post - thank you so much for sharing.
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Interesting article, never had an abnormal pap smear myself but thanks for sharing
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This is such an informative article. I've had one pap smear and was glad to have received normal results. I should be due for another test soon. Sam - thank you for sharing your experience.vAll the best
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That is some awesome information. I love that it is written in language we can all understand with most of it being stuff I had never heard of. Great Post!
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What a great article, what a brave girl Sam! How lucky we are to have a test available to easily prevent a terrible disease. Pap smears shouldn't hurt, they may be a bit embarrassing and uncomfortable, but the benefits of knowing your clear or having follow up procedures far out ways the risk of developing cervical cancer. The trick is finding a doctor or clinic that you are comfortable with and have confidence in. Great to read so many comments from those who have been putting off their pap smears now going to have them.
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interesting article
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Thanks for this. I've not had one but I really know I need to. Its just me being a chicken. I'm booking myself in for one this week.
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Learnt something new
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This is a great article. I really didn't know much about Pap smears really and this was really informative and interesting.
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I have had two abnormal results now, with nothing eventuating. Pap smears are a little confronting, yes, but we need to shake the taboo & make sure all women are getting them.
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I've had two ab-normal smears (both CIN 1) and a colposcopy and also had the vaccine. Both cleared up within 12 months. The colposcopy only pinched for a second - totally worth having done to ease any cervical cancer worries. The vaccine only vaccinates against 4 types of HPV (there are what, about 30-40 different types?). I think it's great we get pap smears every two years (or more if needed) here in Australia. We're very lucky. Now if only we could detect ovarian cancer a bit sooner!! Great article.
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How terrifying! Luckily I have never had an abnormal result. I am due for my next one once this next bub is due. Iiik, I hate getting them, hope they find a less invasive way to test in the future.
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