Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection. This disease increases your chances of getting cervical cancer. A Pap smear is a screen for cervical cancer. It can also detect precancerous cells. If your doctor detects changes in your cervical cells in this test, that is called an abnormal Pap smear. The cell changes can indicate HPV. Your doctor can suggest further tests to diagnose the cause of the abnormal cells. Buckhead, Vinings, Smyrna, Roswell, Alpharetta, Midtown, Sandy S Abnormal pap smears, and HPV tests help doctors diagnose unusual cells for effective treatment.
What is HPV?
HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease that affects about seventy-nine million people in the United States. It increases your chances of having cervical cancer. There are many different strains of HPV but not all cause cancer. Most HPV types do not cause symptoms, but HPV 16, 18, and 45 are the most likely to cause cancer. Some strains of the HPV virus can lead to the development of genital warts.
What is a pap smear?
A Pap smear is a screen for cervical cancer. The test involves your doctor gently inserting a speculum in your vagina. The doctor will gently scrape off cells from your cervix using a spatula. The procedure is not painful, but you may feel mild discomfort. Your doctor then places the cell sample in a liquid solution in a tube or jar and sends it to a laboratory. A pathologist observes the samples under a microscope to check for abnormal cells that may indicate cancer or HPV. A Pap smear only screens for cancer but does not diagnose it.
What is an abnormal Pap smear?
A Pap smear can show potential precancerous cells in your cervix and HPV. If your test does not show any change, you have no sign of disease. If you have any changes, doctors refer to it as an abnormal Pap smear. Your doctor can recommend you have a colposcopy to determine the severity of the cell change. More than ninety-five percent of patients treated for precancerous cells do not develop cervical cancer.
What happens during a colposcopy?
The procedure for colposcopy is similar to a Pap smear. But in this test, your doctor identifies your cervix and applies vinegar to light up your abnormal cells. The doctor will use a colposcope, which is a specialized microscope, to view your cervix. If you have abnormal cells, the doctor can take tissue samples from the endocervix and exocervix for biopsy. You may experience mild pain or cramping during the procedure. Your doctor takes the biopsy samples to a lab for testing.
It may take about two weeks to get your results. Colposcopy helps to diagnose or rule out cervical cancer. Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend further tests or treatment. Treatment is based on the type and severity of your infection.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection of many different types. An abnormal Pap smear indicates cell changes in your cervix which can be precancerous or cancerous. Schedule an appointment at Ideal Gynecology, LLC for a Pap smear and HPV testing to prevent and treat cervical cancer.
