Symptoms / Abnormal smear test
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Abnormal smear test
Cells do not usually go from 'Normal' to 'Cancer'; they go through pre-cancerous changes. We usually classify precancerous change as Mild, Moderate or Severe.
By examining the cells from your smear, we can spot precancerous cells, we can then treat them so you don't develop cancer.
Precancerous cells in your cervix are caused by a virus, the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are over 100 variations of this virus but only about 10 are aggressive towards the cervix. We can now test to see if you have a high risk HPV. If you do not there are vaccines available which can prevent you from being affected by the most aggressive forms of the virus.
Further reading & information
Getting help
If you wish to make an appointment to seek further advice and or treatment, please contact Dr Harrington's secretary.
it could be...
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Cervical cancer
Cancer of the neck of the womb can affect women at an earlier age. It presents when it is quite advanced with irregular or unpredictable vaginal bleeding.
More information » -
Precancerous cells in cervix
Cells do not usually go from 'Normal' to 'Cancer'; they go through pre-cancerous changes. We usually classify precancerous change as Mild, Moderate or Severe.
More information »