How to read your own screening results without panicking

You get a result in a patient portal, often before anyone explains it, and it’s full of codes and numbers that sound alarming. Here’s a calm, plain-language guide to the most common screening results, so you can understand what you’re looking at instead of googling yourself into a panic at 2am.

Mammogram: the BI-RADS scale

Mammogram results use a 0–6 scale called BI-RADS. Roughly: 0 means "need more images" (incomplete, not alarming). 1 is negative — nothing to see. 2 is benign: something’s there but it’s harmless. 3 is "probably benign, let’s recheck in 6 months." 4 and 5 mean suspicious enough to warrant a biopsy (4 is a wide range from low to moderate suspicion; 5 is highly suspicious). 6 is a known, already-diagnosed cancer. Most results are 1 or 2.

Pap smear: what the categories mean

A normal Pap means no abnormal cells. ASC-US means slightly unusual cells of uncertain significance — very common, usually followed by an HPV test or a recheck. Terms like LSIL (low-grade) and HSIL (high-grade) describe more definite cell changes that need follow-up, often a colposcopy (a closer look). Important: these describe cell changes, not cancer — they’re exactly what screening exists to catch early, when they’re easily managed.

PSA: it’s about trend, not one number

For prostate screening, PSA is a blood number with no single magic cutoff. Historically "under 4" was called normal, but context matters more. Your age, your prostate size, and especially the trend over time. A rising PSA across several tests is more meaningful than one "high" reading, which can be caused by infection, recent activity, or a large-but-benign prostate. One number is a data point, not a verdict.

Colonoscopy: polyps are usually good news

If a polyp is found and removed during your colonoscopy, that’s often the system working — most polyps are benign, and removing them prevents them from ever becoming a problem. Your report may name the type (adenomas can become cancerous over time, which is why removal matters; hyperplastic polyps are usually harmless) and set your next interval. Finding and removing polyps is the whole point.

The universal rule

An abnormal or unclear result almost never means "you have cancer." It usually means "we need another look" or "we caught something early." If a result confuses or scares you, the move is the same: call and ask, "What does this mean, and what’s the next step?" You’re entitled to a plain-language explanation of your own results.

A general guide, not a substitute for your clinician interpreting your specific results. Scales and categories can vary — always confirm with your provider.