It’s normal to feel anxious after hearing your Pap smear results are abnormal, but it doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. At Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, the team of board-certified OB/GYNs provides comprehensive management for abnormal Pap smears. This includes additional in-office testing and procedures to determine why your results are abnormal. Call the office for compassionate and supportive gynecological care or schedule an appointment online today.

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What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. For a Pap smear, your OB/GYN collects cells from your cervix during a pelvic exam and sends the sample to a pathology lab for evaluation.

Women should start having Pap smears at age 21 and repeat the test every three years until age 65. The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology may combine your Pap smear with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test when you reach age 30.

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and the most common cause of cervical cancer. The team may recommend more frequent Pap smears if you test positive for HPV.

What do abnormal Pap smears mean?

Abnormal Pap smears mean the lab found unusual cells in the sample. Examples of abnormal cells include:

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)

Squamous cells grow on the surface of your cervix. Normally, these cells are flat and thin. ASCUS means your cells look unusual but not cancerous or precancerous.

Squamous intraepithelial lesion

Squamous intraepithelial lesion suggests you may have precancerous cells in the cervix. The grade of the cells determines how quickly the precancerous cells may turn into cancer.

Atypical glandular cells

The glandular cells are mucus-producing cells found in the opening of the cervix. Atypical glandular cells means these cells look unusual but not precancerous.

Squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma from a Pap smear are concerning and may indicate cervical cancer.

Any abnormal Pap smear requires further testing to confirm or rule out the results from the pathology lab.

What type of testing happens with abnormal Pap smears?

Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology provides comprehensive management for abnormal Pap smears, offering in-office tests to determine what your results mean. Tests may include the following:

Repeat Pap smear

The team may repeat your Pap smear before continuing with additional tests to confirm your abnormal results.

Colposcopy and biopsy

During a colposcopy, your OB/GYN closely examines your cervix using a colposcope — a magnifying device. They biopsy any abnormal tissue and send it to the pathology lab for further testing.

How are abnormal Pap smears managed?

You may need additional treatments if your abnormal Pap smear indicates you have precancerous cells. Management of your abnormal Pap smear may include surgical excision of the abnormal cells or ablation to heat and destroy the cells.

To manage your abnormal Pap smear from a skilled and caring team, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.