What does an Abnormal Cervical Screening Test Result Mean?

Most women will have a normal result from their smear test and can be reassured. Some women however, may be told that they have an abnormal result. An abnormal result is reported because changes in the cells of the cervix have been seen on the smear test. Often theses changes are due to inflammation or a mild infection and usually revert to normal if the smear test is repeated.

Sometimes the abnormality can be due to pre-cancerous changes in the cells of the cervix. The cervix is lined with two types of cells: Squamous cells and Glandular cells. If changes are seen in the squamous cells they are referred to as CIN or "cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia". CIN is not cancer, however if left untreated it can sometimes go on to develop into a type of cancer of the cervix, known as Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Occasionally changes may be seen in the glandular cells of the cervix. These changes are referred to as CGIN or"cervical glandular intra-epithelial neoplasia". CGIN is not cancer but if left untreated may develop into a different type of cervical cancer known as adenocarcinoma.

CIN and CGIN are graded as 1, 2, or 3 depending on the severity of the abnormality.

A cervical screening test may also detect cancer of the cervix that has already developed. However most women with an abnormal test result have early pre-cancerous cell changes and not cancer.