The diagnosis of cervical cancer usually begins in your doctor’s
office during a routine pelvic exam and Pap test. (To learn
about the pelvic exam and Pap test, see cervical cancer
screening.) If your Pap test shows abnormal changes or unhealthy
cell growth in the cervix, your doctor will need to perform
further testing to determine if you have cancer, an infection,
or some other condition. Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. First, the doctor will
take your complete personal and family medical history,
including information about possible risk factors related to
cervical cancer. You will also have a physical exam. The initial
diagnosis of cervical cancer can be made from the screening Pap
test done in the physician’s office. However, additional
diagnostic tests are necessary to determine the precise type,
location and extent of tumor to plan effective treatment.
Diagnostic tests will determine the nature of the abnormal cell
growth of the cervix. Diagnostic tests inc