Making the Diagnosis
The way to test for cervical cancer is to use a Pap test, named not after the papillomavirus, but after the test's inventor, George Papanicolaou. The test gives results that range from minor tissue inflammation due to hormones to papilloma infection, abnormal cells, and cervical cancer. It can also sometimes detect uterine (endometrial) cancer. The test is simple and painless, involving no more than a gentle scrub with a small brush in the cervix.
If the results show abnormal tissue, the next step depends on the tissue's appearance. Some results are not quite normal but not very worrisome either. This is particularly likely around the time of menstruation, or in women who have some kind of genital infection other than papillomavirus. Your doctor may ask that the test be repeated after a few weeks. Often, results are normal the second time.
Other results need to be checked more thoroughly. If your doctor suspects abnormal cells or a tumor, the next step is usually colposcopy. This is similar to a standard gynecologic examination, except it's performed with a special microscope that shines a light on your cervix so the doctor can see it better, and dye is put on the cervix to highlight the abnormalities.
If there are lesions in the wall of the cervix that could be abnormal cells or a tumor, a biopsy (tissue sample) will be needed. There are different types of biopsy procedures. Your doctor will advise which is the most suitable for your specific case. Small cancers can actually be removed entirely with these techniques. Sometimes, following colposcopy, women are told that they had cancer and that it's been removed. In most of these cases, no further treatment is necessary. The same outpatient procedures (i.e., no hospitalization involved) can remove abnormal cells.
At the moment, the National Women's Health Information Center (a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services) and the National Cancer Institute recommend Pap smear testing regularly, at least once every 3 years for all women who have ever been sexually active. Ask your doctor how often you should be tested in light of your particular circumstances.