Results

Results from your HPV test will come back as either positive or negative.

• Positive HPV test. A positive test result means that you have a type of high-risk HPV that's linked to cervical cancer. It doesn't mean that you have cervical cancer now, but it's a warning sign that cervical cancer could develop in the future. Your doctor will probably recommend a follow-up test in a year to see if the infection has cleared or to check for signs of cervical cancer.
• Negative HPV test. A negative test result means that you don't have any of the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.

Depending on your test results, your doctor may recommend one of the following as a next step:

• Normal monitoring. If you're older than age 30, and your HPV test is negative and your Pap test is normal, you'll follow the generally recommended schedule for repeating both tests in five years.
• Colposcopy. In this follow-up procedure, which is recommended if your Pap test is abnormal, your doctor uses a special magnifying lens (colposcope) to more closely examine your cervix.
• Biopsy. In this procedure, usually done at the same time as colposcopy, your doctor takes a sample of cervical cells (biopsy) to be examined more closely under a microscope.
• Removal of abnormal cervical cells. To prevent abnormal cells from developing into cancerous cells, your doctor may suggest a procedure to remove the areas of tissue that contain the abnormal cells.
• Seeing a specialist. If your Pap test or HPV test results are abnormal, your doctor will probably refer you to a gynecologist for a colposcopic exam. If test results show that you might have cancer, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating cancers of the female genital tract (gynecologic oncologist) for treatment.