COLPOSCOPY
A colposcopy uses a powerful microscope to allow a closer examination of a women’s cervix, vaginal canal and vulva.
You may be referred for a colposcopy if you have had an abnormal screening result. Which could be either a persistent low grade abnormality or a high-grade abnormality.
From December 2017 the cervical cancer screening program changed and pap smears are no longer performed . The pap smear has been replaced by the Cervical Screening Test which looks for signs of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
The cervical screening test is performed in the same way as the pap smear used to be with a speculum examination performed by the doctor or nurse
Treatments may include:
No treatment – for minor abnormalities, a follow-up repeat colposcopy and cervical screening test at an earlier interval may be required.
LLETZ procedure (Large Loop Excision of Transformation Zone). This takes about 20 minutes and involves a wire loop removing the area which contains the abnormal cells. This is done at a hospital, usually under general anaesthetic.
Cone biopsy. This is when abnormal cells are higher up inside the canal of the cervix. This is done at a hospital, usually under general anaesthetic.
Laser treatment.
Hysterectomy. This is the very LAST option and is for women who have already developed cancer of the cervix.
After these treatments, a follow-up cervical screening test and colposcopy will be necessary to ensure that all abnormal cells have been successfully removed.
