Women undergo a Pap test, also referred to as a Pap smear, to check for cancer and other abnormalities in the cervix. Infections and inflammation also can be detected in the lower portion of the uterus through a Pap test. According to the National Cancer Institute, Pap tests should be performed every three years after a woman begins having sex.
The Test
A Pap smear is taken by inserting a speculum into the vagina to widen it. The doctor then inserts a scraper to take a sample of the cells. The sample is smeared on a glass slide and typically sent to a lab for testing. Using a standard system of reporting, labs inform doctors of the condition of the cells. They are reported as negative if there are no malignancies or abnormalities found.
Results
Cells that are found to be abnormal are defined under five categories. Cells that are labeled as atypical squamous cells are unknown quantities to doctors, though they may indicate the presence of a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, in which case, other tests should be performed. Tests that pick up low-grade lesions are usually caused by HPV. Atypical squamous cells also can indicate a precancerous condition. Researchers also are not sure what atypical glandular cells indicate, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Cancer
Pap tests that come back with an AIS label indicate precancerous formations in the glandular tissue. High-grade lesions indicate serious changes in size and shape of the cells. Precancerous cells that have high-grade lesions often are precursors to invasive cancer. Invasive cervical cancer spreads deep into the cervix and travels to other organs in the body.
Inaccuracies
Pap tests are not 100 percent accurate, and many women receive a false positive result from their exam. Though rare, the news can create enormous anxiety when a woman hears she has abnormal cells. On the other hand, a false negative reading of the tests can delay the needed treatment for the potential cancer threat. Regular Pap tests can help to make sure the abnormalities are caught in the next test.
Considerations
Pap test results usually take about three weeks. According to the National Women's Health Information Center, all positive Pap smears do not necessarily point to cancer. Most abnormalities found in a Pap test instead indicate a small problem in the cervix, many of which go away in time. A second Pap test is usually performed before any further treatment or tests are done. A biopsy can tell if the cells are malignant.
