Abnormal Pap Test

Prevention

You cannot prevent an abnormal Pap test, but you can reduce your risk factors.

Have regular Pap test screening

The Pap test is the most effective screening test to prevent the development of cervical cancer. Pap tests done at regular intervals almost always detect cervical cell changes before the changes become cancerous. Regular screening for and treatment of cervical cell abnormalities can prevent the abnormal cell changes from developing into cancer.

Current screening guidelines include the choice of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing at the same time as a Pap test for regular screening in women older than 30 years of age or as a test to determine your need for colposcopy if you have atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US).

Quit smoking

Women who smoke are at higher risk for developing cervical cell changes that cause an abnormal Pap test. The reason for this is not fully understood. Quitting smoking may decrease this risk. Not smoking has many other health benefits. For example, nonsmokers have a lower risk of other cancers and heart disease. For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.

Reduce your risk of a sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially HPV infection, often cause abnormal Pap tests and can lead to other serious health problems. Preventing an STD is easier than treating an infection after it occurs.

• Talk with your partner about STDs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out whether he or she is at risk for an STD. Remember that it is quite possible to be infected with an STD without knowing it. Some STDs, such as HIV, can take up to 6 months before they are detected in the blood. Consider HIV testing if you or your partner are at risk for HIV.
• Be responsible.
  • Avoid sexual contact if you have symptoms of an STD or are being treated for an STD.
  • Avoid all intimate sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of an STD or who may have been exposed to an STD.
• Use male or female condoms to reduce the risk of getting an STD. Using male condoms when you have sex has been shown to reduce your risk of getting HPV.¹⁰ Female condoms may help also, although there has been less study of this type of protection.
• Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the only way to completely prevent any exposure to STDs.

Your risk for an STD increases if you have several sex partners at the same time or if your sex partner has more than one partner.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a vaccine (Gardasil) (What is a PDF document?) that protects against four types of HPV, which together cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. Three shots are given over 6 months. Gardasil is recommended for girls 11 to 12 years old. The immunization is also recommended for females 13 to 26 years old who did not receive it when they were younger. It can be given to girls as young as 9 years old. Clinical studies showed that the vaccine is safe and works well to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts for girls and women who have not already been infected with these HPV types.¹¹ For more information, see the topic Immunizations.

For more information on getting your daughter vaccinated, see:

Should my daughter get the HPV vaccine?

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Author:	Sandy Jocoy, RN	Last Updated: January 5, 2009
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kevin Holcomb, MD - Gynecologic Oncology
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