Detection and Diagnosis
Doctors recommend that women help reduce their
risk of cervical cancer by having regular Pap tests. A
Pap test (sometimes called Pap smear or cervical
smear) is a simple test used to look at cervical cells.
Pap tests can find cervical cancer or abnormal cells that
can lead to cervical cancer.
Finding and treating abnormal cells can prevent
most cervical cancer. Also, the Pap test can help find
cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be
effective.
For most women, the Pap test is not painful. It's
done in a doctor's office or clinic during a pelvic exam.
The doctor or nurse scrapes a sample of cells from the
cervix. A lab checks the cells under a microscope for
cell changes. Most often, abnormal cells found by a
Pap test are not cancerous. The same sample of cells
may be tested for HPV infection.
If you have abnormal Pap or HPV test results, your
doctor will suggest other tests to make a diagnosis:
- Colposcopy: The doctor uses a colposcope to look at
the cervix. The colposcope combines a bright light
with a magnifying lens to make tissue easier to see.
It is not inserted into the vagina. A colposcopy is
usually done in the doctor's office or clinic.
- Biopsy: Most women have tissue removed in the
doctor's office with local anesthesia. A pathologist
checks the tissue under a microscope for abnormal
cells.
- Punch biopsy: The doctor uses a sharp tool to
pinch off small samples of cervical tissue.
- LEEP: The doctor uses an electric wire loop to
slice off a thin, round piece of cervical tissue.
- Endocervical curettage: The doctor uses a curette
(a small, spoon-shaped instrument) to scrape a
small sample of tissue from the cervix. Some
doctors may use a thin, soft brush instead of a
curette.
- Conization: The doctor removes a cone-shaped
sample of tissue. A conization, or cone biopsy,
lets the pathologist see if abnormal cells are in the
tissue beneath the surface of the cervix. The
doctor may do this test in the hospital under
general anesthesia.
Removing tissue from the cervix may cause some
bleeding or other discharge. The area usually heals
quickly. Some women also feel some pain similar to
menstrual cramps. Your doctor can suggest medicine
that will help relieve your pain.
For more information about tests, cell changes, and
treatment for these changes, you may want to read
Understanding Cervical Changes. The NCI fact sheet
The Pap Test: Questions and Answers tells how often
women should have Pap tests and how to prepare for
them.
You may want to ask the doctor these
questions before having a biopsy:
- Which biopsy method do you recommend?
- How will tissue be removed?
- Will I have to go to the hospital?
- How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it
hurt?
- Are there any risks? What are the chances of
infection or bleeding after the test?
- For how many days afterward should I avoid
using tampons, douching, or having sex?
- Can the test affect my ability to get pregnant
and have children?
- How soon will I know the results? Who will
explain them to me?
- If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about
the next steps? When?
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