Pap Test. Are the results something to worry about?

[Shurup]

My wife and I are going to try for a baby and I sent her to do a check up as she's been skipping that for years.

Her general health is fine, a little high cholesterol as with most Thias, but her pap test came back not so good (if that's the word), don't know much about them. She got called from the hospital and told they'd need to do more tests (for extra fee obviously) and she said ok.

Now she's sitting home and all worrying about cancer and stuff like that. Can someone look at this medical report and tell me if there's anything to worry about?

P.S. She's 35 and never had kids.

[Shurup]

On another note, she keeps telling me now that I need to check for Thalassemia and Rubella?

Her tests for these 2 came back good I guess, she doesn't have a 1st one and has been vaccinated for the second.

I'm not sure about the 2nd one for myself but I read what the 1st one is about and it doesn't look like I have that issue, my red blood cell count is fine and always been that way and I don't have any other related symptoms so my question is - if I have no symptoms, is it still possible that I have this Thalassemia condition?

I also read it's commonly appear in some certain ethnic groups (some asian groups??) and I'm nowhere near those places and neither anyone else from my family tree.

[Tywais]

From what I can interpret is that it is inconclusive. CDC Also from reading around 10% of paps smears have abnormal results but very low percentage is it a concern.

Some info here on epithelial cell abnormality

ASC-US (ASK-us): This word stands for “Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance.” Doctors may use this word to describe a Pap test result that is unclear. Your doctor may also use words like “equivocal” or “inconclusive” to describe this result (see below).

Unclear

It is common for test results to come back unclear. Your doctor may use other words to describe this result, like: equivocal, inconclusive, or ASC-US. These all mean the same thing: that your cervical cells look like they could be abnormal. It is not clear if it’s related to HPV. It could be related to life changes like pregnancy, menopause, or an infection. The HPV test can help find out if your cell changes are related to HPV.

[bkkjames]

Shurup: take a breath mate - I am sure Sheryl will be along with some good advice in due course. It's easy to start worrying about the wrong things - been there done that.

[Shurup]

Shurup: take a breath mate - I am sure Sheryl will be along with some good advice in due course. It's easy to start worrying about the wrong things - been there done that.

Yes, those doctors can make us normal folks worry one day, sometimes for no reason, and make us happy the next day.

I'm more worrying about her worrying because for once - it's hew health and her body, but another thing is she's worrying that I will leave her if she has a cancer and unable to have children, because I don't have any kids either and she knows that I've been wanting to have them really bad for some time now.

[bkkjames]

Can only suggest to be as supportive as you can to put her at ease.

Worrying about it will do anything but help.

[Shurup]

From what I can interpret is that it is inconclusive. CDC Also from reading around 10% of paps smears have abnormal results but very low percentage is it a concern.

Some info here on epithelial cell abnormality

ASC-US (ASK-us): This word stands for “Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance.” Doctors may use this word to describe a Pap test result that is unclear. Your doctor may also use words like “equivocal” or “inconclusive” to describe this result (see below).

Unclear

It is common for test results to come back unclear. Your doctor may use other words to describe this result, like: equivocal, inconclusive, or ASC-US. These all mean the same thing: that your cervical cells look like they could be abnormal. It is not clear if it’s related to HPV. It could be related to life changes like pregnancy, menopause, or an infection. The HPV test can help find out if your cell changes are related to HPV.

It will be 2 weeks before she gets those more detailed results she was told, I was just hoping someone could give me more info from the report she already got and thanks, it could really be nothing...

During the examination she was told that visually everything looks good, if it makes a difference??

[Water Buffalo]

Most kinds of HPV are completely harmless. Only two can cause cancer. But most women's immune systems will clear it before it gets to that. It must be at least 10 years, i believe, before it can become dangerous.

Here is a link with a doctor answering a question about it. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/High-risk-HPV-disclosure-dilemma/show/2089540

The doctor answering the question is one of the world's best in STD control and recently won a lifetime achievement award for his work. You can take what he says is a certain amount of credibility.

I wouldn't worry too much about it, until you know more.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Water Buffalo

[chuenyongman]

If the test was with a machine do not rely on it. My first wife had the test which appeared free of cancer. When she was examined by a good doctor they found a small lump in her breast. I turned out to be a cancerous cell which they removed successfully.

[nickcar]

My ex wife had abnormal pap smear. Followed by positive labe test on biopsy. This is the purpose of the pap smear to detect pre-cancerus cells my ex wife had them removed by a very minor operation.. No worries.

[Shurup]

If the test was with a machine do not rely on it. My first wife had the test which appeared free of cancer. When she was examined by a good doctor they found a small lump in her breast. I turned out to be a cancerous cell which they removed successfully.

No, it was a female doctor doing the test.

[arjunadawn]

Brother, I understand the concern however there is nothing in this report to be alarmed about. The goal of cell surveys in the PAP is to look for cells showing signs of evolving differently, atypically, increased rate, or odd growth. A number of things can give false positives and many things can suggest further test.

Your wife's test notes it was a valid and acceptable sample and odd cellular behavior was noted. It could have noted something bad, but this was not found. Commonly issues such as last menses to HPV and others can give results that need more info, such as colposcopy, biopsy, etc. while nothing is desirable it is the case that a greater than majority of women on earth have been exposed to HPV without clinical signs and symptoms. This could give such a reading. Indeed, it's suggested. It's also more common.

I highly recommend you do the following before asking any more questions are worrying (if you've any real concern do this without your wife present): contact the doctor and speak directly and plainly. Ask her to tell you in doctors words what's going on. Then if you need have her explain again for a novice. Nothing is more important than your wife and family understanding that this is a common early finding and it's way too early to sound alarms.

[khunPer]

My GF had a test something like that when she was giving birth (first time, age 24). We did regular checks every 4-6 month by a specialist doctor at a hospital (private, specializing in cancer, not expensive) for a period of some years. Both the doctor and I advised extra vitamin-C (some 2-3 gram a day), which can improve the condition and is otherwise harmless.

There are about 100 types HPV of which 12 can produce cancer, but mainly two counts for 70% of all cases, HPV type 16 and 18. After a couple of years a minor operation was suggested and made to cut (can also be done by laser) and remove the infected area. Follow up control checks have only showed everything positive and no more signs of abnormal cells. Know others, well my GF have some friends, who have been trough similar process with good result.

During the process I asked for my GF having the HPV vaccination, Gardasil. Another available brand is Cervarix. You cannot be vaccinated during pregnancy. The doctor was first reluctant, but checked some studies and said that it was worth trying. 3 injections with something like 2 month and then 6 month interval; little expensive (relative). Gardasil only covers a limited number of viruses, but includes type 16 and 18. There are different opinions about vaccination, but seems like most consider the benefits worth more than eventually side effects; immunity may last only about 5 years, think not absolutely clear yet about revaccination recommendations. Later studies have shown, that vaccination can improve condition at already infected persons.

I think regular checks are the most important, as if the HPV generates to cancer, it can be serious, but with regular checks some action can be taken before that stage.

Don't worry, but do check-up...

[belg]

colcoscopy will bring the answer

if they find some abnormal cell, they might remove it on the spot

[KhnomKhnom]

One PAP test is not definitive, pro or con. Certainly she must pursue all possible tests and follow up as ordered by her doctor. In your case, it is insulting to doctor to imply that he/she would order tests just to milk you for money. If you do not trust one, get another or use multiple opinions.

It is too early to worry and is clearly time to keep testing.

For you, if you want to father a baby, you should get all tests indicated regardless of what YOU think, even if you are a medical doctor. Again, trust and use multiple opinions if you can not trust.

There can be NO compromises concerning health, especially the health of a baby. Skimp on taxis if you must, but not your and HER health. Remember you are testing for THREE people maybe.

[Sheryl]

Unfortunately my internet connection is poor and I cannot get the photo to enlarge.

If it showed some sort of atypical cells, an HPV test should be done, and a procedure called a colposcopy may be indicated in the course of which they may take a small sample for biopsy.

It is way too early to start worrying. Cervical cancers are slow in developing and progressing and easily treated if caught early. What she may have, may just be pre-cancerous changes. Also treatable.

If she has been vaccinated for rubella there is no reason for you to get your titers checked.

And no need for you to be tested for thalessemia s you are not in a high risk group.

[Shurup]

Thanks Sheryl, a great answer as usual!

[Shurup]

Update. We got an answer from the lab. She got an HPV but it is not the dangerous type which are 16 and 18. That's all I have after taking to her after she called and talked to someone at the hospital. Details might have been lost in translation but I think I got the important piece of information.

Do we need to take any further action at this time based on the lab results, or can we go ahead and try for the baby? Will her getting pregnant cause her or the baby any harm?

Sent from one of my mobiles, whatever mobile it is.

[Sheryl]

No impact on the baby and no harm on getting pregnant.

Shuld have regular pap smears from here on (every 6-12 months, see what Dr advises). Odds are that the atypical cells will clear with time.