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Treatment Options for Abnormal Pap Tests
by Leila Turner, ND

Editor's Note from Rebecca Snowden: Naturopathic medicine offers some excellent treatment options for the abnormal pap. Find out here, what an abnormal pap is and what Naturopathic medicine can do for you should you get one.

What Is The Pap Smear?

The Pap test, also called Pap smear, is used to find cervical abnormalities long before they become actually a threat to your well-being. The Cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). A major cause of cervical cancer appears to be a virus: Human (HPV), which is transmitted sexually. Cervical cancer starts as changes called “dysplasia”, a precancerous phase, are detectable on the Pap smear. The progression of “dysplasia” into cancer usually takes many years. Therefore, timely Pap smears should detect changes in the cells long before they become malignant, while the abnormal cells are easily treatable.

When To Start Screening For Cervical Cancer (With A Pap)?

* Start Pap smear age 21 or within 3 years of being sexually active
* Make sure to get your Pap yearly until the age of 30
* Beginning age 30, women who have had 3 normal Pap test results in a row may get screened every 2 to 3 years
* Routine HPV testing, along with the Pap, is beneficial for women 30 and older
* Women 70 years of age or older who have had 3 or more normal Pap tests in a row and no abnormal Pap test results in the last 10 years may choose to stop having cervical cancer screening
* Women who have had a total hysterectomy (cervix has been removed), may stop having cervical cancer screening. Exceptions are those who had a hysterectomy due to cervical carcinoma (or preinvasive changes) and women who had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix

How Can You Imporve The Accurcy Of Your Test?

* No douching, vaginal medications, vaginal contraceptive products inserted in the vagina for 48 hours before the exam
* No intercourse for 48 hours prior to your exam
* Pap smear should not be performed while you are on your period. The best time for doing your Pap smear is Midcycle
* Pap smear should not be performed if you are having any symptoms of vaginal infection. Take care of the infection first by making an appointment to see your health care provider

What Does An Abnormal Pap Mean?

A Pap test is reported as normal (negative) when all the cells are of a healthy size and shape. An abnormal (positive) test is reported if any cells of different sizes or shapes are found. An abnormal Pap test does not mean you have cancer.

Special terminology is used to describe the degree of abnormal cells. Since 2001, the categories used are Benign Cellular or Reactive Changes:

* Asc-Us (atypical squamous cells of un determined significance)
* Asc-H (atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade),
* Low Grade Sil (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion – often referred to as mild dysplaia
* High Grade Sil (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion - often referred to as moderate or severe dysplasia
* Agc (atypical glandular cells)

What Are Treatment Options For An Abnormal Pap?

There are many ways to treat cervical dysplasia (CIN). Factors influencing the choice of treatment for cervical dysplasia include the extent and severity of the dysplasia, the age of the woman, and whether or not she has any other gynecological problems. Often the experience of the physician or other clinician, and the availability of equipment are also major factors. The following are the most common conventional methods of treating cervical dysplasia:

* Cryotherapy or freezing: freezing off the atypcial cells of the cervix
* Laser Therapy: carbon dioxide laser that vaporizes the abnormal cells
* Cone Biopsy: surgical removal of cone-shaped or cylinder-shaped piece of the cervix
* Loop Excision (LEEP): electrial loop excision uses a fine wire with electrical energy flowing through it to remove the abnormal area of the cervix

Naturopathic Treatments may provide some alternatives depending on the severity of the cellular changes. HPV is a virus and though it can cause cellular changes to the cervix, by supporting the immune system abnormal paps can often be treated naturopathically. Some naturopathic treatment options include:

Systemic Immune Support Examples:

* Stress Reduction and Resiliance Support (homeoapthy, herbs, lifestyle modification, biofeedback techniques)
* Vitamins
* Minerals
* Immune support
* Anti-virals
* Botanicals
* Homeopathics,
* Therapeutic diet and lifestyle modifications

Topical Treatments Examples:

* Herbal suppositories with a variety of actions used cyclically
* Anti-viral herbs
* Herbs that stimulate the shedding of the abnormal cells (like a facial)
* Herbs that stimulate healing and the regeneration of new and healthy cells

About the Author

Dr. Leila Fosdick Turner is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor (N.D.) in the state of Arizona. She is licensed as a general family practitioner, and is considered an expert in women’s health. Additionally, Dr. Turner is on faculty at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, where she teaches classes, is part of curriculum development and supervises clinical rotations. She see’s patients out of her private practice with Naturopathic Specialists, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Dr. Turner received two Bachelor Degrees from the University of California in Santa Cruz in 2002; one in Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and a second in Psychology. She received her degree in Naturopathic Medicine in 2007 from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr Turner is one of the few Naturopaths to have 2 years of residency experience; her 1st year residency was in general medicine with an emphasis on homeopathy, nutrition and environmental and women’s medicine. She then pursued a 2nd year residency with an emphasis on women’s medicine.

During her second year at SCNM she was among the student founders of the Naturopathic Medical Student Association (NMSA), which has since grown in the AANP student affiliate association. Apart from the medical realm, Dr. Turner enjoys hiking and rock climbing in Arizona on her days off.

For more about Dr. Turner visit www.DrLeilaTurner.com.