Understanding your Cervical Screening Test results
It usually takes up to 2 weeks for your healthcare provider to receive your results from the laboratory. Make sure you agree on a way to get your test results with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will discuss your test results with you and the next steps.
What do my test results mean?
If your results show that you do not have HPV, your healthcare provider will recommend you return to screen in five years.
If your results show that you do have HPV, your healthcare provider will discuss the next steps with you. Depending on how your test was taken and the type of HPV found you may need to:
Return to have a cervical sample collected by a healthcare provider.
You will be recommended to have a cervical sample taken by a healthcare provider. This will check for any abnormal cervical cell changes.
Repeat the test in 12 months.
Most HPV infections are cleared by the body within one to two years.
A repeat test will check that your body has cleared the HPV infection.
See a specialist.
This does not mean you have cervical cancer.
You will be referred to a specialist for further investigation. This is called a colposcopy. Your healthcare provider can give you more information on colposcopy.
What is a cervical abnormality?
A cervical abnormality means that the cells of the cervix appear different. This does not mean you have cervical cancer. Abnormalities can usually be treated easily and successfully if detected early. If left untreated there is a greater chance of developing cervical cancer.
To find out more about cervical abnormalities, click here.
