• About Pap tests or Pap smears
• Who should have Pap tests or Pap smears?
• The human papillomavirus (HPV)
• The cervical cancer vaccine
• Abnormal Pap test (or Pap smear) results and treatment
• Unsatisfactory result
• Low-grade changes
• High-grade changes
• Colposcopy
• Biopsy
• Treatments for high-grade changes
• Pap tests after treatment
• Questions to ask about treatment
• Risks associated with treatment
• Cervical cancer

Low-grade changes

Sometimes, very minor changes to the cervical cells are detected on a Pap test. The cause of these changes is not always obvious. The changes may be due to inflammation, but are often caused by HPV.

Most low-grade changes do not require treatment, however it is important that the recommended follow-up tests below are taken.

If you are under 30 years of age:

• It is recommended that you have a follow-up Pap test in 12 months.
  
  
• If this repeat Pap test is reported as normal then a further Pap test should be done in another 12 months.
  
  
• If this Pap test is normal, it is recommended that you return to two-yearly Pap tests.
  
  
• If the repeat Pap test is reported as a low-grade or high-grade abnormality, it is recommended that you have a colposcopy.

If you are over 30 years of age:

• If you have had a normal Pap test in the last two to three years, a repeat Pap test in 12 months is recommended.
  
  
• If you don't have a history of normal Pap tests in the past two to three years, a colposcopy or a repeat Pap test within six months is recommended.

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