Re: Abnormal pap smear in a 19 yr.old

Posted By Jani on May 02, 1999 at 13:26:51
Dear Dr.
My college daughter just called home in tears.  She had gotten her first abnormal pap smear.  They stated to her that she either had an infection or has cancer.  But they did not do any other tests, a culture, or anything.  They just said to wait and come back in 3 mos. for a repeat pap smear.  She will be home soon, and has agreed to get a second opinion from a gynecologist up here.  I know that abnormal pap smears are almost common, but she's so young.  She has only been on the pill for approx. 2 years, and has changed her pill this year to one that has more estrogen in it.  Could the estrogen increase her chances for getting cancer.  Breast cancer has run in her great grandma and grandma, but only when they were in their 70's.  Her aunt who is pre-menopausal has a history of troubling hormones and abnormal pap smears, but no cancer.  I am her mother with all good pap smears and mammos.  What does the research say about abnormal pap smears and the risk of cancers.  I would like to know.  I am also going to follow up with a second opinion, because I do not trust on campus drs.  What are some questions that I should ask the gynecologist.  I would appreciate any answers here being that this is all new to me and her dad.  We are concerned.  Thanks.

[hfhs-MD---dar]

Posted By hfhs M.D. - dar on May 03, 1999 at 08:24:55
It is really difficult to answer the question without knowing what the pap smear report actually gave as the diagnosis.  Your daughter may want to request a copy of the pap smear report.
The pap smear report that calls for a repeat in 3 months is "Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance ASCUS ".   One way to look at it is imagining a pathologist looking under the microscope and  saying:   This is not bad, not even a little bit bad.. but it is not totally normal.. So we will just have the GYN repeat the test in several months.         The diagnosis in many ways sounds "bad" --- but it really isn't.
The next grade up in abnormal pap smears  is "ASCUS suggesting dysplasia".  In this case the recommended follow up is colposcopy - the GYN looks at the cervix using a special magnifing instrument to make sure everything is normal.  
Birth control pills  and family history of breast cancer are not related to abnormal pap smears.  

[LB__0]

Posted By L.B. on May 04, 1999 at 19:04:56
When I was your daughters age I went throught the same thing.  All I could remember was it could be cancer.  I am now 28 years old and for the last 2 years my paps have been coming back abnormal.  I have had several colposcopy, and cervical biopsy's.  I have to go every three months as well.  I also almost had to have them scrap some of my cervix off, but when I was on the table I started to cry and they decided not to do the procedure.  The doctors have also told me that it could be warts.  There are 80 different types of warts and only 6-8 are cancerous.  After talking to many of my friends and other women this is very, very common.  Just as long as your daughter takes good care of herself and always, always, always goes to the doctor when she is supose to!  Good Luck.










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