A pap smear is a medical test used to examine the skin cells of a woman's cervix-the opening into the uterus-for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer affects 11,000 women per year, according to the National Cancer Institute. The pap test is instrumental in cervical cancer screening, as the disease can be slow growing and not produce symptoms until it has progressed. While regular pap smears can detect abnormal cervical cell changes, not every abnormal pap result means cancer, as other factors can trigger an abnormal result.
Infection
Vaginal infection can cause changes of the cervix to occur; causing abnormal pap smear results. The American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology note that HPV, or human papilloma virus, is the most common infection for causing abnormal Pap smears. HPV is sexually transmitted, and usually goes away without treatment or causing problems. However, in some instances, HPV lingers and causes damage to the cervix; resulting in precancerous or cancerous changes.
Additional vaginal infections can cause abnormal pap smear results, including yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and trichomonas infections. While a pap smear does not diagnose these infections, it can indicate a problem, which warrants further testing. Vaginal infections usually present with symptoms, such as vaginal odor, itching, burning or colored vaginal discharge, which prompt most women to seek treatment. If left untreated, however, these infections can damage cervical cells and lead to abnormal pap smear results.
Smoking
The American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) states that women who smoke are more likely than women who don't to have an abnormal pap smear result. Smoking weakens the immune system, damages skin cells, and makes it possible for harmful viruses to change or damage cervical cells. The ASCCP notes that HPV infections are more likely to cause precancerous cell changes to the cervix in women who smoke; however, the risk can be lowered by quitting smoking.
Cancer
Cervical cancer cells are abnormal cells, which invade the cervix; going deeper than the first layer of cervical tissue. Cancerous cells have a different appearance than healthy cervical cells, which can be seen when the pap smear is read by a professional. While the pap test may indicate cancer cells are present, a cervical biopsy is usually performed to confirm whether cancer is present.
Cervical cancer may have additional symptoms such as bleeding after intercourse, pain with intercourse and abnormal vaginal bleeding, which correlate with abnormal cells found during a Pap test.
