Abnormal pap - Cancer: Breast Message Board

lizbeth0912 · 03-02-2005, 11:31 AM

Hi
this is my first time posting. I am 37, single mom with three children. three years ago I had my first abnormal pap. I was terrified. it came back as abnormal due to inflammation with benign changes, it was repeated several months later showing the same so I had a colposcopy. no dysplasia just inflammation. Of courst I was so relieved . The next two years my paps were normal. my last pap was this past Jan. a few weeks ago, the doctors office called and said my pap was abnormal. it showed "ASCUS". but there was noone that could talk to me. so i was and am a wreck. I did go in to see the doctor but he did not really make me feel much better. I thought since everyone here seems so knowledgeable, some of you could maybe give me your thoughts. I also have panic disorder so of course i am a wreck. So it came back as ASCUS which the dr said was a higher grade that the first abnormal pap. cultures were negetive. the high grade hpv test was also negetive. my next pap is scheduled for June 1. I would likew to try to relax between now and then. I am recently divorced and just met a wonderful man and I am just scared. also could ascus be due to inflammation? also at the time of the pap, I had not been sexually active for almost 18 months so I just don't get it. any feedback would be sooo appreciated.!!
Thank you
Eileen

JenniferB123 · 03-02-2005, 12:06 PM

Don't worry. I had the same thing a year ago and I freaked out as well, I then had a repap two months later that came back normal and my one this year as well...thank goodness.

" ASCUS stands for Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance" could mean anything from imflamation to HPV but yours came back normal on the HPV. My doctor told me that it basically means they don't know what the problem is. Some doctors will do a colposcopy and some will just do a repeat pap in two to three months, because a lot of the times they will come back normal again like mine did.

So basically, irregular cells have shown up on your pap and from what my doctor told me it could be anything from an infection to irritations that most of the time your body can rid itself of. Hormonal changes or even if your on certain medications.

Also if you had sex the day before can also affect your pap results.

Yes, it also could mean dysplasia but taken care of early can have great results.

I'm not a doctor, but this is what my doctor told me when I freaked out about having ASCUS. Try not to worry, see what he/she wants to do next and go from there, and remember if your not happy with your doctor find another one that will be more helpful.

Good luck. :-)

lizbeth0912 · 03-02-2005, 12:12 PM

Jennifer,
Thanks. I know I shouldn't worry and thank you for your feedback, it is much appreciated. I will try to relax. thanks again.

Eileen

resqkitty · 03-02-2005, 12:13 PM

The results you got are what my dr called atypical changes. Repeat in 3 months. I had paps like that when I was a teenager, and then 3 times in my early twenties. They always would come back as normal on the next test. The cell changes you have can be from your period, sex, douching or from nothing at all. Trust your Dr if you always have. If it was more serious he/she would have scheduled a follow-up. When mine changed for the worse I had my follow-up,colp and leep within 2 months. Drs don't wait on these things. Relax, go toyour appt in June, it will most likley be fine.

lizbeth0912 · 03-02-2005, 12:22 PM

Thank you. I will relax. It has just been one thing after another lately, sinus problems, low grade fever due to sinus now this pap, which scared me. it also scared me when he said the ascus was a higher grade than my last abnormal but i will relax. (or try to).

Thanks again!