An abnormal Pap smear means some percentage of your cervix cells appear abnormal in shape or size. In most cases, an abnormal Pap smear does not indicate cancer and is in fact caused by HPV.

A Pap smear is a procedure that screens for cervical cancer by testing cells for any abnormalities. If your Pap results are abnormal that does not mean you have cancer, and more likely indicates HPV.

There are two types of Pap smear test. Dr Sujit Ash explained, “A basic Pap test that checks for the abnormal cervical cells. If normal, the reports of the test are valid for 3 years.

Figure 1 shows the distribution of estimated Pap smear screening intervals among women who have been screened at least once, have not had a hysterectomy, and have never had an abnormal Pap smear.

The task force recommends screening every three years; the cancer society advocates annual screening (biennial if using liquid-based testing instead of the older glass slide technology), and the ...