Abnormal cervical cells can be caused by a number of different things (such as an infection or inflammation), but they're usually caused by certain types of a common virus, human papillomavirus (HPV).
About 30 types of HPV affect the genital area:
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“High-risk” types (such as HPV Types 16 and 18) can cause cervical cancer or abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that sometimes turn into cancer.
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“Low-risk” types (such as HPV Types 6 and 11) can cause genital warts and benign (abnormal, but noncancerous) changes in the cervix.
Abnormal cervical cells can be the first consequence of HPV. So, an abnormal Pap test is a sign that shouldn't be ignored, even if it creates some anxiety. The threat of abnormal cervical cells becoming cancer is a real one, but abnormalities found at this stage can almost always be successfully treated.
