I had the abnormal cells at one time many years ago but the repeat exam was normal and I have never had the abnormal results again. So, like others have said the screening can either show beginning changes or sometimes the test shows something that amounts to nothing. I hope this is the case with your mom. Having regular paps is the best way to show problems at a very early stage. Any sort of mild infection (NOT necessarily an STD!!) can make the test come back suspicious. The biopsy will tell her precisely what is wrong, if anything.