Get a low down on What a Pap Smear Test is.

Normal or Abnormal?

In each report, there must be a mention if the cervical sample taken for the test was adequate and if the quality of the smear was satisfactory.

So before you check anything, look whether the smear has been marked as "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory".

If it is marked satisfactory, it means the result is normal. However that does not mean you have no chance of cancer. Rather it means that there is very low chance of it.

Remember, this is just the start, now you need to interpret the main result to make sure that the report is normal.

Interpreting the Result

• Normal

If your report suggests that you have negative malignancy, it pretty much indicates that your test is clean, there are no abnormal cells.

The next likely step in this case is to wait for your next Pap test in the next one to three years depending upon your age.

• Abnormal

Now in abnormal there are two possibilities. One, where there is mild abnormality but not cancerous. It could be either due to menopausal changes if you are nearing that age or an inflammation due to infection, herpes or injury in the area.

Such results are termed as false-positive. That means you may have to appear for another round of Pap test in the coming two months.

And if it is due to any of the above conditions then the next test will most probably show a proper result.