No, usually these are minor abnormalities that do not necessarily cause cancer. There are different types of abnormalities.12 Minor abnormalities If small abnormal cells are found in the smear, there is no need for alarm. Often your immune system will clear up these cells on its own, and they will disappear from the body. This can take around two years. Therefore, you are usually advised to have a follow-up smear test after 12 months. Your doctor will then check whether the abnormal cells have disappeared. If they did not, you will be referred for further examination. Abnormalities If you get this result, you will be referred for further examination. You may feel alarmed if you receive this result, but the likelihood that you have cervical cancer is still low. This is often still a pre-cancerous stage of cervical cancer that can be treated relatively easily, so that you do not develop cervical cancer later.