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Abnormal Smear Test
In most cases, having an abnormal smear does not mean that you have cancer. Rather, it indicates that changes were found in your cervix, which might go on to develop into cervical cancer in several years’ time. Monitoring, and if necessary treating these changes, is designed to help prevent cervical cancer.
A cervical smear test screens for any changes that can affect the cells on your cervix. There can be many reasons why a smear test may come back as abnormal, most of which can be simply addressed.
We understand that an abnormal smear test might cause you worry. Our private gynaecologists are on hand to explain what they’ve found, and suggest the next step, and if appropriate, treatment.
Abnormal Smear Test And HPV
Most cell changes detected on an abnormal cervical smear are caused by a type of wart virus called the human papillomavirus or HPV. These viruses are so common that more than half of sexually active women are infected with HPV at some time during their life, although most will not even know it.
If you have a strain of HPV that can cause cervical cancer, it can lie dormant within the cells of the cervix. In some cases, your immune system will recognise and clear the virus. However, if the virus persists, it can cause cervical cell abnormalities which, if not detected and treated, could eventually lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer develops slowly, over many years. If you have regular abnormal cervical smear tests your cell changes can be monitored and, where necessary, treated - usually long before cervical cancer would have developed. That’s why having a regular smear test is so important.
Abnormal Smear Treatment
Most women with an abnormal cervical smear have only slightly abnormal cells.
If these are found in your smear your sample is tested to see if certain high-risk strains of the HPV virus are present.
If the HPV test is negative, you have a low risk of developing cervical cancer before your next cervical screen test and will be invited back for screening once a year.
If you have an HPV infection, or if the cells on your cervical smear are abnormal, we will offer you another test, called a colposcopy. This procedure examines your cervix more closely under magnification.
If we find abnormal areas during your colposcopy, these can be sampled with a biopsy, which removes a small amount of cells for examination by a specialist pathologist.
Depending on the nature of any abnormal cells found, you may be monitored with repeat smears, or the abnormal cells could be treated with laser therapy or cryotherapy–freezing.
Around one in two women who have a colposcopy are found to have abnormal cells which need removing, to help prevent cervical cancer.
Private Cervical Smear Test In London
Our consultant gynaecologists understand that an abnormal smear result can cause anxiety. They will offer you a clear explanation of your results, discuss treatment options, and help you decide which approach is right for you. You can make an appointment online or telephone 020 7244 4200 for a confidential chat.
