An ASCUS result does not automatically mean precancer or cancer is present. Common causes for these cell changes include:
: Particularly low oestrogen levels in menopausal or postmenopausal women, which can cause atrophic changes in cervical tissue. An ASCUS result does not automatically mean precancer
: Irritation from sexual activity, use of certain birth control methods (like a diaphragm), or general inflammation. Potential Causes : Such as human papillomavirus (HPV)
Because the significance is "undetermined," doctors typically follow one of these paths based on ASCCP guidelines : Definition of ASCUS - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms or other vaginal infections.
: Non-cancerous developments like cysts or polyps. Typical Next Steps
In medical contexts, (or ASC-US) stands for Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance . It is the most common abnormal finding on a Pap test, indicating that the squamous cells lining the cervix look unusual under a microscope, but the cause is not immediately clear. Potential Causes
: Such as human papillomavirus (HPV) , yeast infections, or other vaginal infections.