Women are encouraged to have a pap smear as soon as they touch 21 years or into any form of sexual activity. Abnormal Pap smear during pregnancy is bound to rise and they are not diagnostic tests, but screening tools, to find any growth of abnormal cells in the cervix. When women agree to be part of the regular screen test, the early detection and prevention are possible
What does abnormal Pap smear during pregnancy indicate?
Being alarmed or worried is normal when you are told your abnormal pap smear is abnormal. It may indicate you have an infection or abnormal cells in the form of dysplasia. It is important to understand that when you have abnormal Pap smear it does not mean that you have cancer. The results do show that further tests need to be done in order to find out whether there is any problem or not.
The course of treatment in the case of abnormal Pap smear?
A positive result does indicate the presence of abnormal cells or abnormal pap. Further evolution is necessary in the form of biopsy where a small amount of tissue is removed from the cervix or colposcopy where a microscope is used to look into the cervix is undertaken. The doctor will discuss the test results with you.
One in ten cases indicates the presence of abnormal cells, though most of them are not that serious. A Further round of testing may be needed to figure if you any inflammation or infection. Human Papilloma virus happens to be the main cause of cervical cancer, but most of the women who go on to receive treatment caused by it, do not develop cervical cancer.
In the year 2003, the FDA, went on to formulate a screening test which can be done in conjuncture with a Pap smear test to determine whether you have HPV virus. The HPV DNA test can go on to detect the high risk types of HPV before any form of abnormal cells is detected in the cervix. Ideally women above the age of 30 years should undertake this screening .They is at a higher level of risk
What sort of checkups is needed after treatment?
Check up following the course of treatment is necessary to ensure that all the abnormal cells are gone and the cervix, being healed. To prevent cancer occurring early detection of it is the key. After the treatment the women will be advised by their health care providers, to how long they need the routine pap smears to be done.
What happens if I have an abnormal pap smear during pregnancy?
It is indeed safe to have abnormal Pap smear during pregnancy. If the results are abnormal, then a colposcopy needs to be performed during pregnancy. But further treatment is bound to be delayed till the baby is born.
Concurrently the birth of the baby will wash away any abnormal cervical cells. It does not pose a risk to your baby in any form.
