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What Does A Pap Smear Report Of ASCUS/HPV Negative Indicate?
Hi, my recent yearly Pap smear is ASCUS/HPV negative. I get tested yearly and have never had any atypical or abnormal results. Also I gave never tested positive for HPV. My doctor advised me to have another Pap test in two months. However she also informed me she is closing her office and retiring due to a sudden illness. I have found a new doctor but they can t get me in for six months... Is this too long to wait as I am concerned there may be cancerous cells? I am 45 and thinking maybe hormonal change may be a part of the ASCUS results. Thank you
Wed, 7 Jan 2015
I understand your concern and I will do everything I can to answer your question.
It can be very scary to hear of an abnormal test result but the short answer is you almost assuredly have nothing to worry about.
The pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It works very well: in the US cervical cancer deaths have dropped 90% in the last 50 years because of the pap smear. Pap smear results come back on a scale (simplifying a bit, but bear with me) from 1 (normal) to 5 (cancer). ASCUS is an acronym for 'atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance, a '2' on the 1-5 scale. Almost everyone that has a '2' will go back to normal with time. So very few people with a '2' develop cancer that more frequent testing or treatment is unnecessary. The following link is from the ASCCP, the national expert on pap smear testing and screening: for a person with ASCUS and HPV negative, repeat testing is recommended in 3 years. If your doctor wants you back in a year - ok. Two months is being excessively over-cautious.
http://www.hpv16and18.com/hcp/asccp-management-guidelines.html
Why was there an abnormal pap smear? Good question. There probably isn't an answer. The timing of your cycle, a bacterial or yeast infection, recent sexual activity - these can all cause a slightly abnormal pap but usually there is no obvious trigger.
I hope that helps and best of luck to you
It can be very scary to hear of an abnormal test result but the short answer is you almost assuredly have nothing to worry about.
The pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. It works very well: in the US cervical cancer deaths have dropped 90% in the last 50 years because of the pap smear. Pap smear results come back on a scale (simplifying a bit, but bear with me) from 1 (normal) to 5 (cancer). ASCUS is an acronym for 'atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance, a '2' on the 1-5 scale. Almost everyone that has a '2' will go back to normal with time. So very few people with a '2' develop cancer that more frequent testing or treatment is unnecessary. The following link is from the ASCCP, the national expert on pap smear testing and screening: for a person with ASCUS and HPV negative, repeat testing is recommended in 3 years. If your doctor wants you back in a year - ok. Two months is being excessively over-cautious.
http://www.hpv16and18.com/hcp/asccp-management-guidelines.html
Why was there an abnormal pap smear? Good question. There probably isn't an answer. The timing of your cycle, a bacterial or yeast infection, recent sexual activity - these can all cause a slightly abnormal pap but usually there is no obvious trigger.
I hope that helps and best of luck to you
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