• What are abnormal cervical cells?
• What causes abnormal cervical cells?
• How are abnormal cervical cells detected?
• How are Pap test results reported?
• Are there additional tests for women diagnosed with abnormal cervical cells?
• Can abnormal cervical cells be treated?

Abnormal cervical cells are cells in the lining of the cervix that have changed in appearance. This is also called cervical dysplasia. The more severe the cervical abnormality, the more likely it is that cervical cancer could develop in the future. Most often the development of cervical cancer from abnormal cervical cell changes can take a number of years. However, in rare cases, it has developed within a year.

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