The Library Brands All Products for Encyclopedia Health Concerns Vitamins, Minerals, etc. Folic Acid Selenium Vitamin A Abnormal Pap Smear Women are advised to have periodic Pap smears, because cancer of the cervix is a fairly common and sometimes fatal disease. A Pap smear checks cells from the cervix for any evidence of pre-cancerous or cancerous changes. If an abnormality is detected early, the doctor can prescribe effective treatment before the problem becomes more serious.
Cervical dysplasia is a term used to describe abnormal cervical cells.
Cervical dysplasia is usually graded according to its severity, which can range from mild inflammation to pre-cancerous changes to localized cancer. 1 Low levels of selenium 2 and low dietary intake of vitamin C 3 have also been observed in women with cervical dysplasia. Women with a low intake of vitamin A have an increased risk of abnormal Pap smear. These dietary associations do not necessarily indicate that these nutrients would be helpful if used as supplements. Rather, it is possible that women consuming more of these nutrients from their diets are eating more produce, and other substances in produce might account for protection.