Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical Cancer Screening

 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. Most of the time, the virus is cleared from the body and cancer does not develop. However, sometimes the body is unable to clear the virus and cancer of the cervix may develop. The HPV vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer and screening tests can detect those at risk for developing cervical cancer. 

When to get screened

Cervical cancer screening can be started as early as age 21. Talk to your health care provider about when screening should start and how often you should be tested. There are a variety of test options available. Testing should continue until at least age 65. Testing may be stopped after this age, if you have no risk factors or no history of abnormal test results.

Screening tests for cancer of the cervix

Two screening tests can help find cervical cancer:

  • The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated.
  • The HPV test looks for the virus that can cause these cell changes.

Sometimes your provider may do both tests when screening for cervical cancer. This depends on your age and medical history.

Both tests are collected the same way and can be done in your provider’s office or clinic. During the exam, your provider will use a plastic or metal instrument, called a speculum, to open the vagina. This helps your provider examine the vagina and cervix. A small brush is then used to gently collect cells from the cervix. The cells are sent to a laboratory.

  • If you are getting a Pap test, the cells will be checked to see if they look normal.
  • If you are getting an HPV test, the cells will be tested for HPV.

Test Results

It can take as long as three weeks to receive your test results. If your test shows that something might not be normal, your provider will contact you and figure out how best to follow up. 

If your test results are normal, your chance of getting cervical cancer in the next few years is very low. Your provider may tell you that you can wait several years for your next cervical cancer screening test. But you should still go to your provider regularly for a checkup.

Understanding Pap test results

ResultWhat it meansFollow up
Within normal limitsNo abnormal cells found.Routine screening as recommended by your provider.
AtypicalSome cells show changes that may be due to a vaginal infection or an infection with the HPV virus.If due to infection, medicine is used to treat the infection. If due to HPV, more testing will be done. Either a repeat Pap test and/or HPV test may be done, or your provider may use a magnifying device to look at your cervix. This procedure is called a colposcopy. During a colposcopy, a sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken and sent to the laboratory.
LGSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion)Changes in the cells are mildly abnormal and likely due to an HPV infection.Either a repeat Pap test and/or HPV test may be done, or your provider may use a magnifying device to look at your cervix. This procedure is called a colposcopy. During a colposcopy, a sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken and sent to the laboratory.
HGSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion)Cells are very abnormal and may become cancer if not treated.Your provider will use a magnifying device to look at your cervix. This procedure is called a colposcopy. During a colposcopy, a sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken and sent to the laboratory. Surgery may be done to remove the abnormal cells.

Understanding HPV test results

ResultWhat it meansFollow up
NegativeYou do not have any of the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.Routine screening as recommended by your provider.
Positive HPV otherYou have a type of HPV that may cause cervical cancer.Either a repeat Pap test and/or HPV test may be done, or your provider may use a magnifying device to look at your cervix. This procedure is called a colposcopy. During a colposcopy, a sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken and sent to the laboratory.
Positive HPV 16 or 18You have a type of HPV that is known to significantly increase the risk of cervical cancer.Either a repeat Pap test and/or HPV test may be done, or your provider may use a magnifying device to look at your cervix. This procedure is called a colposcopy. During a colposcopy, a sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken and sent to the laboratory.

© 2000 - October 12, 2021, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.