My doctor told me that my Pap smear is normal and NO high-risk HPV has been detected
What does it mean if my Pap smear is normal?
Since the Pap smear is a test that screens for cervical cancer, if your Pap smear is normal this means that no abnormal or suspicious cells were seen on your test. The Pap smear can identify abnormal cells that are not cancerous but could lead to cancer over time if not treated. This is called dysplasia. Sometimes a Pap smear will report minor vaginal infections such as yeast or bacterial vaginosis.These infections do not cause cancer; therefore this is still a normal Pap test result.
If my Pap smear is normal, what does it mean if my HPV test is negative?
Sometimes a Pap smear can have false negative results. This means that the report says normal but in reality there is something abnormal. The abnormality that the Pap smear is screening for is cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (or HPV). Cervical cancer has a precancerous condition called dysplasia which can be detected on a Pap smear. Thus, if your doctor tells you that in addition to a normal Pap smear that there is NO HPV detected on your test then is very minimal risk of a false negative.
Also, if there is no HPV present at the time of your normal Pap smear, then this predicts that there will not be any abnormal cells that may develop over the next 2 to 3 years.
If my Pap smear is normal and my HPV test is negative, when should I have my next Pap smear done?
With the newer Pap smear guidelines, women over 30 with a history of normal Pap smears and NO HPV may be advised to repeat the Pap in 2-3 years. This should be discussed with your doctor. Currently, most insurance companies are still paying for a yearly Pap smear. Regardless, you will need a yearly gynecologic exam regardless of your Pap smear results.
Julianne M. Dunne, MD, PC 1230 Mamaroneck Avenue Suite 100 White Plains, NY 10605 tel. (914) 948-1020 fax. (914) 948-1002 email: gyndocs1230@yahoo.com
