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What Do My Results Mean?

What does my test result mean?

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Your HPV test is negative. This means that no high risk HPV was found on your cervix and that your chances of developing cervical cell changes that require treatment in the next five years are extremely low. For that reason, you should wait for five years before having another cervical screening test.

Your next screening test is due in five years

Please do not return for another cervical screening test for five years. We will contact you and let you know three months before you are due for your next test.

However, if at any time you develop unusual bleeding, discharge or other symptoms it is very important that you see your health practitioner as soon as possible.

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Your ThinPrep Pap test is negative (normal). This means that no significant cell changes were seen and that your chance of developing cervical cell changes that require treatment in the next two and a half years is extremely low. Therefore you should wait for two and a half years before having another Pap test.

Your next Pap test is due in two and a half years

Please do not return for a Pap test for another two and a half years. We will contact you and let you know three months before you are due for your next test.

However, if at any time you develop unusual bleeding, discharge or other symptoms it is very important that you see your health practitioner as soon as possible.

What is the ThinPrep Pap test?

When you have a ThinPrep Pap test your health practitioner takes the sample from your cervix in the usual way but then rinses the instruments in fluid to collect cells. This fluid is then sent to the laboratory where cells are put on a slide and examined.

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Your results indicate that you have some minor cell changes on your Pap test (low-grade changes) &/or you have one of the high-risk HPV types but NOT types 16 or 18.

These test findings are most likely to be associated with HPV infection and are unlikely to be associated with cell changes that require treatment. In this situation it is safe to wait for 12 months as the changes &/or infection are usually cleared by your body.

Your next screening test is due in 12 months

Please do not return for another cervical screening Pap test for 12 months. We will contact you and let you know three months before you are due for your next test.

However, if at any time you develop unusual bleeding, discharge or other symptoms it is very important that you see your health practitioner as soon as possible.

Abnormal Pap test Results

The Pap test can find changes in the cells of the cervix before serious problems develop. It is very unusual for an abnormal Pap test to be due to cancer. Abnormal Pap test results are quite common. There are two main types of abnormal Pap test results: low-grade abnormalities and high-grade abnormalities.

Low-Grade Pap test Results

A report of low-grade abnormalities means minor cell changes were found. These changes are common and are usually cleared by the body, though this can take around 12 months. Most low-grade abnormalities are due to infection with HPV.

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Your test results show high grade cell changes on your Pap test OR HPV infection with types 16 &/or 18 OR persistent infection with one of the other high-risk HPV types. It is important that you have further follow-up because you may be at increased risk of developing cervical cancer.

We recommend referral to a specialist for colposcopy. It is very important that you follow the instructions of your health practitioner.

Abnormal Pap Test Results

The Pap test can find changes in the cells of the cervix before serious problems develop. It is very unusual for an abnormal Pap test result to be due to cancer. Abnormal Pap test results are quite common. There are two main types of abnormal Pap tests: low-grade abnormalities and high-grade abnormalities.

High Grade Abnormalities

High-grade abnormalities may indicate more serious changes in the cells of the cervix that require treatment. When these cell changes are seen on a Pap test you need to see a specialist (usually a gynaecologist) for further investigation. High grade cell changes can be treated easily and successfully if detected early. If left untreated, they have a greater chance of developing into cervical cancer over many years.

HPV Types 16 & 18

Infection with high-risk HPV types 16 & 18 can cause more serious cell changes not always seen on a Pap test, especially in the early stages of infection. Although your body may clear this infection, we recommend you have a colposcopy (see below) where a specialist can look closely at your cervix.

Persistent Infection with Other High-risk HPV Types

Although infection with other high-risk HPV types (not 16 or 18) is a lower risk than with HPV types 16 or 18, persistent infection (i.e. for 12 months or more) with any type of high-risk HPV increases your risk of having cell changes which may require treatment. For this reason, we recommend colposcopy if you have persistent infection with any of the high-risk HPV types.

What is a colposcopy?

A colposcopy is a medical examination in which a specialist looks closely at the cervix using a special microscope for magnification. If an abnormal area is seen a tiny sample of cells is taken. This is called a biopsy. These cells are sent to the laboratory for further tests.

Having a colposcopy is just like having a Pap test, but it takes longer; usually about 10-15 minutes. It can be done in the doctor’s clinic. If a biopsy is taken your health practitioner will get the biopsy report within a week. They will then be able to discuss with you whether you need treatment and, if so, what type of treatment if best for you.

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An unsatisfactory test result occurs when the sample cannot be properly examined. There are a number of reasons why this may happen; for example, the number of cells may be too small, or there may not be enough liquid to perform all the tests needed. An unsatisfactory result does not mean there is an abnormality or a positive test, but it is important to repeat a liquid-based test at the recommended time.

Please return for a repeat cervical screening test in 6-12 weeks

Unsatisfactory results are less likely to occur in Compass trial specimens when compared to ordinary Pap smears.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Screening

We now know that infection over many years with certain types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer.

There are around 40 types of HPV which can infect the genital area (including the cervix). Genital HPV is spread by genital skin-to-skin contact during sex. Most people will have genital HPV at some time in their lives but never know as there are usually no symptoms and, most often, the virus goes away on its own without causing any problems.

An abnormal Pap test is often due to infection with HPV. The Pap test can find changes in the cells of the cervix before serious problems develop. These cell abnormalities can also be predicted using the HPV test, which detects the virus itself.

Low-risk and High-risk HPV

Genital HPV types are called either low-risk or high-risk. Low-risk types can cause minor changes to the cells of the cervix, or, sometimes, genital warts. Low-risk HPV types are usually cleared naturally within one to two years.

High-risk types (especially types 16 & 18) can cause more serious cell changes. They can also take longer to clear from the body. In a small number of women, infection with one of these high-risk types does not seem to clear. This is called persistent infection and can lead to significant cell changes or even, usually over a long time, cancer.

Women having an HPV test in the Compass Trial will be tested for the high-risk HPV types, including types 16 & 18.

Reminder Card

When you receive your results we hope that you are also given or sent a purse-sized card to keep with you to remind you when your next test is due. Please keep this card and show it to any future health practitioners you might see especially if they suggest a screening test earlier than the date shown on the card. It explains when you are due for another test, and reminds your practitioner what to do. If you did not receive one of these cards, please contact Compass on 1800 611 635 and we will send you one.

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Getting Screened

Regular cervical screening is the best way to prevent cervical cancer in all women and people with a cervix

Self Collection

Self-collection is another option that is now available for cervical screening, and involves taking your own swab from the vagina. Find out more about self-collection here

Understanding results

Understand what happens if HPV is found on your Cervical Screening Test and what happens if more tests are needed.

Billing & Payment

ACPCC is a not-for-profit organisation and only charges patients the Medicare Schedule fee for pathology services, with only a small gap amount payable. 

Providers

Covid & Other Tests

Getting Screened

Self Collection

Understanding results

Billing & Payment

Providers

Covid & Other Tests

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