A pap smear or pap test is a screening test for cervical cancer. A negative pap smear report bodes well for your overall health; a positive pap result indicates the presence of an infection or in some cases, abnormal cells that can cause cervical cancer.
Pap Smear Results and Follow-Up
Pap smear is a routine screening procedure that all female adults should start getting after a certain age for the prevention and early detection of potentially life-threatening health issues. Depending upon your pap smear test report, your doctor will suggest a future course of action. Generally, it takes a couple of weeks for the lab results to turn up after the test is done. A pap test report warrantees the following outcomes:
- Normal or negative: This means that no abnormal cells were detected in the tested sample.
- Abnormal or positive: This points to abnormalities in the pap smear findings, indicating the likelihood of disease.
- Unclear: Pap smear results that are unclear mean that the report did not provide sufficient evidence to conclude. This can happen because of the extracted sample having fewer cells or even from other existing health conditions such as pregnancy, menopause, etc.
It is important to note that an abnormal pap result does not necessarily indicate cervical cancer. Instead, it suggests some unusualities in the cells that can be due to other infectious causes. But positive pap test results always call for immediate consultation with your doctor who will assess you further to diagnose the exact problem.
The abnormalities in pap smear test results call for immediate attention on the part of your healthcare provider. Depending on the kind of abnormality detected, you may either be prescribed another pap test immediately or after some time. It is also possible that a Colposcopy may be done to ascertain the nature and kind of risk posed by the abnormal findings.
Unclear pap smear results will also necessitate another pap test. Keep in mind that even a normal test report does not put you completely free of the risk of developing cervical issues in the future. Pap smear tests are recommended to be performed at least once every 3 years for all adult women, irrespective of the status of their sexual activeness. Pap tests are found to be highly effective in detecting abnormal cervical cells that can be cancerous.
Conclusion
A pap smear test might be a necessity for early detection of critical cervical conditions. However, it is not a diagnostic tool and subsequent procedures need to be followed. Be sure to have a health insurance policy in place to tide over all medical contingencies.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.
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