Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus or HPV. It’s one of the leading causes of cancer death for women in the United States. But early detection and treatment can help prevent cervical cancer before it develops. The Pap test is a traditional test for early detecting abnormal cell changes in the cervix. Along with a Pap test, an HPV test can also be recommended for women age 30 and older. HPV tests can help identify high-risk types of HPV that result in cervical cancer. Here’s what you need to know about Pap and HPV tests and how to read these test results.
A pap test is also called a Pap smear or cervical smear. It’s used for recognizing abnormal cells in a woman’s mouth or cervix. Pap tests can also identify inflammation and infections of the vagina. That’s why they are recommended for screening cervical cancer.
Experts say that women age 21 and older should have a Pap test every 3 years. For those age 65 and over, they may no longer need Pap tests. Results from a Pap test can come back as normal, inconclusive or abnormal.
Normal or negative. If your Pap test results come back as normal, this means no cancerous cells are present in your cervix.
Inconclusive or unsatisfactory. This result means that your cells don’t look either normal or abnormal. But it can mean that there was an error when performing the test. For example, blood or mucus might affect the evaluation of cell changes in the cervix. Or, there were not enough cervical cells for performing an accurate test. Usually, 70% of women with unsatisfactory test results have no abnormal cervical cells.
Abnormal. If your Pap test results are abnormal, you might have cell changes caused by HPV. They can be mild, moderate or severe but don’t necessarily mean that you have cervical cancer. If these abnormal cells are not treated timely, they can progress into cancer over time.
Read more: 7 Scary Conditions Your Pap smear Doesn’t Test For
Pap tests: How to read Pap test results
Like Pap tests, HPV tests are only available for women. Usually, they’re recommended if Pap test results are abnormal. HPV tests can’t recognize whether you have cervical cancer. But, they can identify the presence of HPV types that cause cervical cancer in your body.
HPV tests are recommended for women age 30 and older. They can be done at the same time as Pap tests. Women under age 30 should not have HPV tests as these aren’t helpful. HPV tests are recommended every five years.
HPV test results are reported as either positive or negative.
Positive. If your HPV test results come back as positive, this means there are high-risk HPV in your cervical cells. These types of HPV include HPV type 16 and HPV type 18. But having these HPV types doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer or you will get it.
Negative. Negative results for HPV means that you have no HPV in your cervical cells.
Read more: HPV Test: Tests & Procedures
HPV tests: How to read HPV test results
Many women have the same question that what happens if they have a positive test for HPV. Here’s the answer, according to experts:
If your HPV test is positive and your Pap test is normal, you should:
If your HPV test is positive and your Pap test is unclear, get colposcopy.
If your HPV test is positive and your Pap test is abnormal, get colposcopy or immediate treatment.
Colposcopy is a procedure in which the doctor uses a microscope with a bright light to examine:
Colposcopy is recommended if your HPV test is positive and your Pap test is abnormal or unclear
Colposcopy can help identify the following abnormalities:
Apart from colposcopy, some tests can also be performed if your Pap test results are abnormal. These tests include:
Read more: Can You Get Genital Warts from a Toilet Seat
There are many different types of HPV. While some can cause genital warts, some can cause cervical cancer. To determine which types of HPV that you’ve contracted, see a doctor for testing. Pap tests and HPV tests are common tests for identifying HPV in women. For men, there are no available tests. So, educate yourself and consult a doctor to get more information about HPV and treatment.
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