Abnormal Pap Smear Causes
The Pap smear test or the Pap test examines the cells collected from the cervix. Cervix is the lower narrow end of the uterus. Non cancerous conditions such as infection and inflammation, abnormal cells that may lead to cancer or the cancer of the cervix can be detected by the examination of the cells collected. A doctor can find out from a pelvic exam whether there are any abnormalities in the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, bladder or rectum. Such abnormalities can lead to cervical cancer.
Pap smear is named after its developer George Papanicolaou. During last 50 years, there has been a noteworthy drop of fatalities arising out of cervical cancer. This was possible because of the popularity of Pap smear test. In the U.S., about 55 million Pap tests are performed every year and about 6% (3.5 million) are found abnormal. The patients, diagnosed with abnormalities require medical follow-up so that the doctor will know about the abnormal Pap smear causes and can decide about the appropriate treatment. If you want to know what causes abnormal Pap smear, here is the list of the causes.
Abnormal Pap Smear Causes
Sexually transmitted diseases like herpes or gonorrhea
Human Papillomavirus infection
Sex with more than one partner
Family history of cervical cancer
Sex without using any protection
Excessive smoking or use of tobacco
These are the main causes for abnormal Pap smear. But what do abnormal Pap smears mean? The patient has to undergo a few more tests to detect the exact reason behind the change observed in the collected cells. Colposcopy or biopsy may be recommended to decide about the abnormal Pap smear causes. In some cases, cryotherapy, conization, laser therapy, hysterectomy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure(LEEP) can be recommended.
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