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.
You may be tested for HPV at the same time as your regular Pap test or to determine if you need a colopscopy 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, non-smokers have a lower risk of other cancers and heart disease. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
Reduce your risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially HPV infection, often cause abnormal Pap tests and can lead to other serious health problems. Preventing an STI is easier than treating an infection once it occurs.
- Talk with your partner about STIs before beginning a sexual relationship. Find out whether he or she is at risk for an STI. Remember that it is quite possible to be infected with an STI without knowing it. Some STIs, 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 STI or are being treated for an STI.
- Avoid all intimate sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms of an STI or who may have been exposed to an STI.
- Use male or female condoms to reduce the risk of getting an STI. Using male condoms when you have sex has been shown to reduce your risk of getting HPV.11 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 STIs.
Your risk for an STI increases if you have several sex partners at the same time or if your sex partner has more than one partner.
Health Canada has approved a vaccine (Gardasil)
(What is a PDF document?) that blocks four types of HPV: two that cause cervical cancer and two that cause genital warts. Three shots are given over 6 months. 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.
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| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley | Last Updated: April 10, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Barbara S. Apgar, MD, MS - Family Medicine, Women's Health Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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