Should women worry about abnormal Pap test results?
No. Abnormal Pap tests are common. But women should follow up with their health care provider when they get an abnormal result. This way, a woman’s health care provider can find and treat cell changes in the cervix (caused by genital HPV) to be sure they do not turn into life-threatening cervical cancer. Or, the health care provider may simply need to keep a close watch to be sure these cell changes do not get worse. What about a HPV test for women? Health care providers may use a HPV test for women who get an unclear (borderline) Pap test result, to help direct next steps in cervical cancer screening. For women over 30, this test can also be used with the Pap test, as part of routine cervical cancer screening. This test is only approved for use as part of a cervical cancer screening. Women should talk with their health care provider to see if getting the HPV test along with the Pap test is right for them. What’s the difference between the Pap test and the HPV test? The Pap test looks
