How HPV Causes Cervical Cancer and Abnormal Pap Smears

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is so common that one out of every two sexually active adults has been infected with one or more of the approximately 100 types of HPV, only 30 of which are transmitted sexually.


Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is so common that one out of every two sexually active adults has been infected with one or more of the approximately 100 types of HPV, only 30 of which are transmitted sexually. Most of these are benign, but some can cause genital warts, while others can cause cervical cancer—a disease that can be halted in its very early stages by a gentle, painless scraping of the cervix known as a Pap smear, generally recommended annually.

What is an abnormal Pap test?
A Pap test, or Pap smear, is part of a womans routine physical exam. It is the best way to prevent cervical cancer, because it can find cells on your cervix that could turn into cancer. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.


What causes an abnormal Pap test?
Most of the time, abnormal cell changes on the cervix are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus, or HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. Usually these cell changes go away on their own. But certain types of HPV have been linked to cervical cancer. Thats why its important for women to have regular Pap tests. It takes many years for cell changes in the cervix to turn into cancer.


What increases your risk for an abnormal Pap test?

HPV can stay in your body for many years without your knowing it. So even if you now have just one partner and practice safe sex, you could still have an abnormal Pap test if you were exposed to HPV in the past.

Smoking or having an impaired immune system also may raise your chances of having cell changes in your cervix.

Do abnormal cell changes cause symptoms?
The cell changes themselves don't cause symptoms. HPV, which causes most abnormal Pap tests, usually doesn't cause symptoms either. This is why regular Pap tests are so important.

If a different sexually transmitted disease or infection is the cause of your abnormal Pap test, you may have symptoms, including:





You will need more tests to find out if you have an infection or to find out how severe the cell changes are. These tests may include:



  • Another Pap test in 4 to 6 months.



Last Updated:
January 12, 2007

Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH

Medical Review:
Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine

Barbara S. Apgar, MD, MS - Family Medicine, Women's Health

Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Last Updated: October 16, 2008


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