Cervical Cancer Screening Test Results
Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. The Pap test (or Pap smear) looks for precancers, cell changes on the cervix that might become cervical cancer if they are not treated appropriately. The HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that can cause these cell changes. The Pap test is recommended for all women between the ages of 21 and 65 years old. If you are 30 years old or older, you may choose to have an HPV test along with the Pap test.
What Does My Pap Test Result Mean?
Your Pap test will come back as “normal,” “unclear,” or “abnormal.”
- Normal. A normal (or “negative”) result means that no cell changes were found on your cervix. This is good news. But you still need to get Pap tests in the future. New cell changes can still form on your cervix.
- Unclear. It is common for test results to come back unclear. Your doctor may use other words to describe this result, like equivocal, inconclusive, or ASC-US. These all mean the same thing—that your cervical cells look like they could be abnormal. It is not clear if it’s related to HPV. It could be related to life changes like pregnancy, menopause, or an infection. The HPV test can help find out if your cell changes are related to HPV.
- Abnormal. An abnormal result means that cell changes were found on your cervix. This usually does not mean that you have cervical cancer. Abnormal changes on your cervix are likely caused by HPV. The changes may be minor (low-grade) or serious (high-grade). Most of the time, minor changes go back to normal on their own. But more serious changes can turn into cancer if they are not removed. The more serious changes are often called “precancer” because they are not yet cancer, but they can turn into cancer over time. In rare cases, an abnormal Pap test can show that you may have cancer. You will need other tests to be sure. The earlier you find cervical cancer, the easier it is to treat.
What Does My HPV Test Result Mean?
Your HPV test will come back as either “positive” or “negative.”
- A negative HPV test means you do not have an HPV type that is linked to cervical cancer.
- A positive HPV test means you do have an HPV type that may be linked to cervical cancer. This does not mean you have cervical cancer now. But it could be a warning.
HPV test results are meaningful only with your Pap test results.
HPV and Pap Test Results
If Your HPV Test Is Negative (Normal), and Your...
If Your HPV Test Is Positive (Abnormal), and Your...
- Page last reviewed: February 13, 2017
- Page last updated: March 29, 2016
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