THE RESULTS OF SMEAR TEST
Nine out of ten pap smear tests will be normal, reported as ‘negative’ for abnormal cells. Of the 10 per cent which show an abnormality, one out of ten will suggest cancerous or pre-cancerous changes. The diagram shows a series of different looking cells. These represent examples of what the cytologists may see when they examine the smear.
(i) The normal smear. This is a happy, healthy looking cell. If the cytologist can identify only this kind, and no abnormal cells, the smear will be reported as ‘negative’, meaning normal.
(ii) and (iii) Benign changes. There may be cells which are not entirely ‘normal’, but have no signs of cancer or pre-cancerous change. Benign changes are sometimes caused by infections, or irritation. The changes will generally revert back to normal, and are not known to be associated with the development of cancer.
(iv) Wart virus change. If the virus is affecting the cervix, characteristic changes may be seen in the cervical cells. These changes may be the only abnormality seen. With time the changes will usually spontaneously revert back to normal, and may recur from time to time. They may occasionally be associated it is thought, with the later development of pre-cancerous changes. Wart virus change may also be found in addition to the pre-cancerous changes. The nature of the association is not yet fully understood.
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