Five Signs You Should Get a Second Opinion on Your Pap Smear Results
Second Opinion on Your Pap Smear Results
Pap smears are a routine procedure for any woman over the age of 21. Every three years, your gynecologist takes a sample of cells from your cervix and sends them off for testing. This exam gives a pathologist an opportunity to examine these cells for signs of cancer.
The hope is that the pathologist will find no evidence of abnormalities or cancer. However, if the results are unclear or come back indicating that some of the cells show abnormalities or are cancerous, you must decide whether to rely solely on the guidance of your gynecologist in determining your next steps or whether to seek a second opinion on the test results.
When it comes to a potential cancer diagnosis, your doctor will not frown upon your decision to seek a second opinion. Additionally, although a second opinion may seem unnecessary because your doctor has been working with you for years, there are a few signs that you should consider seeking a second opinion.
- Your results come back as unclear, and your doctor advises that no additional testing is necessary. With unclear results, it is always advisable to conduct additional tests to clarify the results to the extent possible.
- The test results come back as abnormal and your doctor tells you no further testing is necessary and to simply return for a test at your next annual visit. While your doctor may believe the results are no cause for alarm, a second opinion can give you additional peace of mind.
- Your results come back as abnormal and your doctor suggests conducting a LEEP, or a procedure designed to both remove a questionable area in the cervix and provide more cells for testing. Seeking a second opinion before moving forward with a more invasive procedure is always recommended.
- Your test results come back as cancerous. Do not panic – pap smears can generate both false negatives and false positives. If your doctor is confident in the results but you are not, take the opportunity to make an appointment with another doctor. Test results can be inaccurate for many different reasons and retesting could provide the true results.
- Your doctor performed the cell collection using the traditional pap smear procedure, which involves scraping cells using a wooden spatula. The newer liquid-based procedure has proven to be more accurate, so regardless of the results of the first test, a follow-up test with a doctor using the liquid method may be a good idea.
Whether or not you seek a second opinion on test results, getting tested regularly is crucial to detecting and treating cervical cancer early. If you developed cervical cancer following an “all clear” from your doctor, consult with an experienced cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorney to discuss how to protect your rights.
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NOTABLE RESULTS
Selected medical malpractice and broader catastrophic injury results reported by RDCY:
$31,000,000 catastrophic injury result · $2,500,000 medical malpractice settlement
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RDCY’s notable-cases page lists a $31,000,000 catastrophic injury result in Fort Lauderdale. This is a broader firm result; the source does not identify it as a settlement or verdict or specify the type of accident. Read the published result.
RDCY’s January 25, 2023 announcement identifies a $2,500,000 medical malpractice settlement among Nicole Kruegel’s recent resolutions. It does not identify the medical error or case location. Read the published result.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
General feedback about working with Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa, excerpted from five-star Google reviews with written comments. Reviews reflect individual experiences.
“One of the most professional and put together practices I have worked with.”
— Jeff Gordon
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“We are forever grateful and wholeheartedly recommend Sean Dominic and his team to anyone looking for attorneys who truly care about the people they represent.”
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Professional Recognition
Selected credentials, honors and professional service of RDCY attorneys:
- Sean Domnick — Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar; also certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Source
- Sean Domnick — Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, West Palm Beach, 2024. Source
- Nicole Kruegel — Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, 2024–2027. Source
- Nicole Kruegel — Lawdragon X – Next Generation, Plaintiff Medical Malpractice and Birth Injury, 2026. Source
- Nicole Kruegel — selected to Florida Super Lawyers, 2025–2026. Source
- Sean Domnick, Nicole Kruegel, Fred Cunningham, Troy Rafferty and Gregory Yaffa — selected to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers. Source
- Sean Domnick — President of the American Association for Justice, 2023–2024. Source
- Sean Domnick — Florida Justice Association Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement award, 2026. Source
Recognition applies to the named attorney and the stated year or period.
Published Articles by RDCY Attorneys
Articles on this practice and broader issues in injury litigation, access to the courts and legal representation, written by RDCY attorneys.
- Tossing Damages in Florida Hospital Case Shakes Faith in Justice — Sean Domnick, Bloomberg Law, November 21, 2025. Broader hospital accountability.
- Can independent medical judgment survive AI in medicine? — Sean C. Domnick, JD, KevinMD, October 8, 2026. Medical judgment, diagnosis and patient safety.
- Banning Litigation Funding Doesn't Solve the Problem; It Just Makes Justice More Expensive — Fred A. Cunningham, Daily Report / Law.com, July 9, 2026. Broader injury litigation and access to the courts.
- The Strength to Share the Case — Gregory M. Yaffa, Daily Business Review / Law.com, October 8, 2026. Broader representation and collaborative handling of complex injury litigation.
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