Key Points for This Section

Screening tests have risks. The risks of cervical cancer screening include the following: False-negative test results can occur. False-positive test results can occur. Your doctor can advise you about your risk for cervical cancer and your need for screening tests.

Screening tests have risks.

Decisions about screening tests can be difficult. Not all screening tests are helpful and most have risks. Before having any screening test, you may want to discuss the test with your doctor. It is important to know the risks of the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.

The risks of cervical cancer screening include the following:

False-negative test results can occur.

Screening test results may appear to be normal even though cervical cancer is present. A woman who receives a false-negative test result (one that shows there is no cancer when there really is) may delay seeking medical care even if she has symptoms.

False-positive test results can occur.

Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no cancer is present. Also, some abnormal cells in the cervix never become cancer. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn't) can cause anxiety and is usually followed by more tests and procedures (such as colposcopy, cryotherapy, or LEEP), which also have risks. The long-term effects of these procedures on fertility and pregnancy are not known.

Your doctor can advise you about your risk for cervical cancer and your need for screening tests.

Studies show that the number of cases of cervical cancer and deaths from cervical cancer are greatly reduced by screening with Pap tests. Screening should be done at least once every 2 or 3 years starting within 3 years after a woman begins to have sexual intercourse.

In women who have had a total hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus and cervix) for a condition that is not cancer, screening with the Pap test is not helpful. Women who are aged 60 years or older when they have a negative Pap test are very unlikely to have abnormal Pap tests on repeat screening.

The decision about how often to have a Pap test is best made by you and your doctor.

Glossary Terms

Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancer, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign (not cancer).

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Cancer that forms in tissues of the cervix (the organ connecting the uterus and vagina). It is usually a slow-growing cancer that may not have symptoms but can be found with regular Pap tests (a procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope).

The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.

Examination of the vagina and cervix using a lighted magnifying instrument called a colposcope.

Any method that uses cold temperature to treat disease.

A test result that indicates that a person does not have a specific disease or condition when the person actually does have the disease or condition.

A test result that indicates that a person has a specific disease or condition when the person actually does not have the disease or condition.

The ability to produce children.

A technique that uses electric current passed through a thin wire loop to remove abnormal tissue. Also called LEEP and loop excision.

A test result that does not show the specific disease, condition, or biomarker for which the test is being done.

A procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix for examination under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer and changes that may lead to cancer. A Pap test can also show noncancerous conditions, such as infection or inflammation. Also called Pap smear and Papanicoloau test.

Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Since screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (breast), colonoscopy (colon), Pap smear (cervix), and PSA blood level and digital rectal exam (prostate). Screening can also include checking for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease by doing a genetic test.

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Surgery to remove the entire uterus, including the cervix. Also called complete hysterectomy.

The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a baby grows. Also called womb.