Information: Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Result

  1. Follow up immediately with your primary care provider, to discuss results. They will tell you exactly what was abnormal and what it might mean. Most abnormal results do NOT mean cancer.
  2. You may need a repeat test. Sometimes the first step is to repeat the Pap or HPV test in 1 year to see if the changes go away on their own.
  1. You may need a colposcopy. This is a closer look at the cervix using a special microscope. It is done in the clinic and feels similar to a Pap test.
  1. A small sample (biopsy) may be taken. If anything looks unusual during the colposcopy, the doctor may take a tiny piece of tissue to check under a microscope.
  1. Results guide the next steps

If results are mild, your doctor may simply watch and repeat testing later.

If results show moderate or high-grade changes, you may need treatment to remove the abnormal cells.

  1. Treatment, if needed. Common treatments include:
  • LEEP (removing abnormal cells with a thin heated wire)
  • Cold knife cone biopsy
  • Cryotherapy (freezing abnormal cells)

These treatments aim to stop the abnormal cells from turning into cancer. If cancer is diagnosed, other tests will be performed to determine its stage and plan your treatment, which could include surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

  1. Follow-up testing. After treatment or monitoring, you’ll have regular Pap/HPV tests to make sure everything stays normal.

After an abnormal cervical cancer screening, your next steps depend on the results, but often include a colposcopy for a closer look and biopsy, and potentially further treatment like a LEEP procedure if precancerous cells are found. You should follow up immediately with your doctor to discuss the next steps, which may also include a repeat Pap test or more frequent surveillance.

 

Keep in mind:

  • An abnormal result does not automatically mean you have cancer, but it does require follow-up.
  • Following up promptly can help catch and treat issues before they become cancerous

The information is adapted from United States Preventative Task Force Cervical Cancer Screening, Dated 08/21/2018 at Recommendation: Cervical Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce and adapted from text generated by Gemini.” Gemini, Google, 22 September 2025, “adult education support in Chicago Illinois” prompt and from OpenAI on 10/02/2025 using various prompts.

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