You just had a routine exam and now the office is calling to tell you that your pap smear is abnormal.  You thought all was well and now what?  What does this mean?  Do I have cancer? Such a scenario is often very frightening and anxiety provoking for patients. 

Pap smear is a test that looks for abnormal cells in the cervix and is an important test in the diagnosis and early detection of cervical cancer.  This is a screening tool and if the pap smear is abnormal, Dr. Imtiaz will recommend a colposcopy.  A colposcopy is a 10-15 minute office procedure that allows the gynecologist to magnify the cervix, vaginal wall and the external genitalia.  Essentially it uses a microscope to closely examine the area.  After a thorough visual exam, Dr. Imtiaz will often take small biopsies of the abnormal areas for further diagnosis.   These biopsies will be used to confirm your diagnosis.  Most abnormal pap smears are then followed by repeating pap smears in the office.  If the pap smear is repeatedly abnormal or if the type of abnomality is severe, Dr. Imtiaz may recommend cryotherapy (freezing the cervix) or a leep procedure  (shaving the top layer of the cervical cells) to remove the abnormal cells.