Sometimes pap smear results come back with more serious signs of
cancer or advanced cancer. Experts say in most cases the more advanced stages can be prevented with regular pap smears since cells go through multiple changes before they become cancerous. Pap smears can detect these changes at the very beginning stages.
Your doctor may recommend further testing, which could include a procedure called a colposcopy. This is where a vinegar solution is applied to the walls of your cervix turning any abnormal cells white. Your doctor will then examine these cells with a colposcope (like a microscope) to get a closer view of the cells in your cervix. If they need a better view or feel that certain cells need to be examined further, your doctor may take some small samples and send them away for more testing.
