An abnormal cervical smear result hardly ever means cancer.

If your cervical smear test has shown that you have high-grade changes or that you are continuing to have low-grade changes, your smear taker will refer you for an examination called colposcopy.

Most women with abnormal cervical smear results feel well and have no obvious symptoms. However, it is important to have colposcopy to get a more accurate picture of the cell changes.

You can have colposcopy free at a public hospital as part of the National Cervical Screening Programme. If you go to a private colposcopy service, you will have to pay. You are able to take a support person with you.

What does an abnormal result mean?

There are a number of abnormal cervical smear test results:

Atypical cells (*ASC-US)

• Cells have small changes.
• It is difficult to assess whether the cells are normal or bordering on abnormal.
• Your smear taker will recommend that you have another cervical smear test in six months.

*atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance

Low-grade changes (*LSIL)

• Some cells are mildly abnormal.
• Most of the cell changes are linked to the presence of HPV (human papilloma virus or infection). The majority of these changes will return to normal by themselves.
• In other cases, they may stay the same or develop into high grade changes.
• Your smear taker will recommend that you have another smear test in six months.
• If the changes remain or develop further, you will be referred for colposcopy.

*LSIL: Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion

High-grade changes (*HSIL)

• Some cells appear to have more serious changes.
• There is a greater risk that abnormal cells, if not treated, could develop into cervical cancer.
• You will be referred for colposcopy within a few weeks.

* HSIL: High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion

Glandular cell changes

• Although the cervical smear test is not designed to detect glandular cell changes, changes to glandular cells are sometimes found.

Cancer

If your smear test shows any changes that might suggest cervical cancer, you will be referred immediately to a specialist.