According to the Mayo Clinic, there currently isn't any way to determine which women have immune systems that make them more susceptible to cervical cancer. That's why simple, inexpensive, and regular Pap tests are absolutely critical.
In nearly all cases, a Pap test allows for the detection of abnormal cells. This is the precancerous stage, when the abnormal cells (dysplasia) exist only in the outer layer of the cervix and haven't invaded deeper tissues.
If untreated, the abnormal cells may convert to cancer cells, which may spread in various stages into the cervix, the upper vagina, the pelvic areas and to other parts of your body.
Cancer or precancerous conditions that are caught at the pre-invasive stage are rarely life-threatening and typically require only outpatient treatment.
Your doctor also may use a lab test called the HPV DNA test to determine whether you are infected with any of the 13 types of HPV that are most likely to lead to cervical cancer.
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