I
have read the leaflet that came with my letter. It says that I have been asked to come for a further
examination because of my smear test had shown evidence of abnormal cells. Well
the letter said that my cells were normal. Alternatively I could have been
referred due to having a number of inadequate results from my screen tests.
Well I know I have not had this either because this is the first smear test
that they could do because the others caused me too much pain, they were unable
to complete the tests.
Apparently an abnormal result is not unusual and it happens in about 1 in 20 tests.
An abnormal result usually means that small changes have been found in the cells on the cervix. These abnormal changes are known as dyskaryosis and act as early warning signals that cervical cancer might develop in the future. It is important to remember that it is very rare for these abnormalities to be cancer.
The leaflet states that a colposcopy is a quick, simple and generally painless procedure. But I will not hold my breath over that one as they say a smear test is also pain free and quick. My tests are neither.
Apparently for some women the changes in the cervix return to normal themselves. Others will need a simple out-patient treatment that is virtually 100% effective. A colposcopy is a simple examination that allows the doctor to see the type and area of the abnormality on my cervix.it also lets the doctor decide if any treatment is needed.
The colposcope is a large magnifying glass which is not inserted inside but is used to the doctor can look more closely at my cervix. For most women this is a painless examination but some may find it a bit uncomfortable.
The procedure can be done safely during pregnancy and will not affect the delivery of a baby, nor will it affect your ability to become pregnant in the future. However the treatment is usually postponed until after the delivery of the baby.
They say that my husband is allowed to come in with me. Some doctors prefer not to do a colposcopy examination when you have your period. If this is the case at your clinic you must rearrange your appointment.
The actual examination only takes 15 minutes, but you should allow an hour for the whole visit.
At first the doctor will want to ask me some questions relating to my periods, type of contraception I use, any operations or illnesses I have had in the past. The colposcopy nurse will help me position myself on the couch and rest my legs on the padded supports.
When lying “comfortably” the doctor will insert a speculum just as they done when they done the smear test. Sometimes another test is taken. After this the doctor will look at my cervix using a colposcopy. It is a large magnifying glass with a light source attached. It looks like a large pair of binoculars on a stand. It neither touches, nor go inside you.
The doctor then dabs different liquids onto the cervix to help identify and highlight any areas of abnormal cells. The abnormal areas will appear white. If any abnormal area is identified a biopsy will be taken from the surface of the cervix. A biopsy is about the size of a pinhead. They say that I may feel a slight stinging sensations, but it should not be painful. Again I will only believe that when it happens.
After the examination the doctor may be able to say what is wrong and what treatment, if any, is required. But often, especially if a biopsy is taken, you are not given a definite diagnosis immediately after the examination. It will take a week or two before you get the results of the biopsy.
After the examination I should feel well enough to continue with my everyday routine. Again we will see, when they done my smear the pain was so bad and I just sat on the sofa or in bed curled up a ball. If I have a biopsy there may be a little blood stained discharge for a few days following the procedure. This is normal and should clear itself. It is best, however, to refrain from intercourse for up to five days to allow the biopsy site to heal.
The results of the biopsy shows how abnormal the area is. It may also indicate if further treatment is needed. The technical term used to refer to cell changes confirmed by a biopsy is Cervical Intra-epithelial Neoplasia more commonly known as CIN:-
Some clinics carry out treatment at your first visit to the colposcopy clinic. If this is the case with your clinic, you will receive information they may give you. Other clinics carry out treatment at another appointment. Treatment usually takes place during another colposcopy and the procedure is very similar to your initial examination.
There are several equally effective methods available to treat CIN. The aim of all methods of treatment is to destroy all the cells affected by CIN, with the minimum of disruption to normal tissue.
The choice of treatment will depend on your particular case, on the preference of the doctor doing the colposcopy, and on the methods available at the clinic. You can be treated for most abnormalities as an out-patient and so there is no need to stay in hospital.
Treatment is nearly always 100% successful and it is unlikely that CIN will recur. It is important to keep your appointments to make sure that your cervix is still healthy. Most colposcopy clinics have a follow-up check between 4 and 6 months after the examination or treatment. During this visit the doctor will take a cervical screening test and may do another colposcopy examination to make sure that your cervix is healthy again. They may do another follow-up again 6 months later. This visit will be similar to the previous one.
If everything is satisfactory after treatment and follow-up test(s) you are usually advised to have screening carried out every year for up to 10 years depending on the CIN you were treated for.
I have spoken to people that have had this and they said that they had to repeat their smear test yearly for 5 years. That is still a lot. I cried when I read this as I do not think that I could cope with 5 years of doing smear test yearly. It is bad enough the thought of having to have it every 3 years. We will see I guess if they want me to have one every year then they want it for a reason so I will do it. Even though I dread mainly because of the pain it causes me.
Apparently an abnormal result is not unusual and it happens in about 1 in 20 tests.
An abnormal result usually means that small changes have been found in the cells on the cervix. These abnormal changes are known as dyskaryosis and act as early warning signals that cervical cancer might develop in the future. It is important to remember that it is very rare for these abnormalities to be cancer.
The leaflet states that a colposcopy is a quick, simple and generally painless procedure. But I will not hold my breath over that one as they say a smear test is also pain free and quick. My tests are neither.
Apparently for some women the changes in the cervix return to normal themselves. Others will need a simple out-patient treatment that is virtually 100% effective. A colposcopy is a simple examination that allows the doctor to see the type and area of the abnormality on my cervix.it also lets the doctor decide if any treatment is needed.
The colposcope is a large magnifying glass which is not inserted inside but is used to the doctor can look more closely at my cervix. For most women this is a painless examination but some may find it a bit uncomfortable.
The procedure can be done safely during pregnancy and will not affect the delivery of a baby, nor will it affect your ability to become pregnant in the future. However the treatment is usually postponed until after the delivery of the baby.
They say that my husband is allowed to come in with me. Some doctors prefer not to do a colposcopy examination when you have your period. If this is the case at your clinic you must rearrange your appointment.
The actual examination only takes 15 minutes, but you should allow an hour for the whole visit.
At first the doctor will want to ask me some questions relating to my periods, type of contraception I use, any operations or illnesses I have had in the past. The colposcopy nurse will help me position myself on the couch and rest my legs on the padded supports.
When lying “comfortably” the doctor will insert a speculum just as they done when they done the smear test. Sometimes another test is taken. After this the doctor will look at my cervix using a colposcopy. It is a large magnifying glass with a light source attached. It looks like a large pair of binoculars on a stand. It neither touches, nor go inside you.
The doctor then dabs different liquids onto the cervix to help identify and highlight any areas of abnormal cells. The abnormal areas will appear white. If any abnormal area is identified a biopsy will be taken from the surface of the cervix. A biopsy is about the size of a pinhead. They say that I may feel a slight stinging sensations, but it should not be painful. Again I will only believe that when it happens.
After the examination the doctor may be able to say what is wrong and what treatment, if any, is required. But often, especially if a biopsy is taken, you are not given a definite diagnosis immediately after the examination. It will take a week or two before you get the results of the biopsy.
After the examination I should feel well enough to continue with my everyday routine. Again we will see, when they done my smear the pain was so bad and I just sat on the sofa or in bed curled up a ball. If I have a biopsy there may be a little blood stained discharge for a few days following the procedure. This is normal and should clear itself. It is best, however, to refrain from intercourse for up to five days to allow the biopsy site to heal.
The results of the biopsy shows how abnormal the area is. It may also indicate if further treatment is needed. The technical term used to refer to cell changes confirmed by a biopsy is Cervical Intra-epithelial Neoplasia more commonly known as CIN:-
- CIN
1 – Means that only a third of the cells in the affected area are abnormal.
These may be left to return to normal or may be treated, depending on your
doctor’s opinion.
- CIN
2 – Means that up to two-thirds of the cells in the affected area are abnormal.
Treatment will usually be needed to return the cells to normal.
- CIN
3 – Means that all the cells in the affected area are abnormal. Treatment will
be needed to return the cells to normal.
Some clinics carry out treatment at your first visit to the colposcopy clinic. If this is the case with your clinic, you will receive information they may give you. Other clinics carry out treatment at another appointment. Treatment usually takes place during another colposcopy and the procedure is very similar to your initial examination.
There are several equally effective methods available to treat CIN. The aim of all methods of treatment is to destroy all the cells affected by CIN, with the minimum of disruption to normal tissue.
The choice of treatment will depend on your particular case, on the preference of the doctor doing the colposcopy, and on the methods available at the clinic. You can be treated for most abnormalities as an out-patient and so there is no need to stay in hospital.
Treatment is nearly always 100% successful and it is unlikely that CIN will recur. It is important to keep your appointments to make sure that your cervix is still healthy. Most colposcopy clinics have a follow-up check between 4 and 6 months after the examination or treatment. During this visit the doctor will take a cervical screening test and may do another colposcopy examination to make sure that your cervix is healthy again. They may do another follow-up again 6 months later. This visit will be similar to the previous one.
If everything is satisfactory after treatment and follow-up test(s) you are usually advised to have screening carried out every year for up to 10 years depending on the CIN you were treated for.
I have spoken to people that have had this and they said that they had to repeat their smear test yearly for 5 years. That is still a lot. I cried when I read this as I do not think that I could cope with 5 years of doing smear test yearly. It is bad enough the thought of having to have it every 3 years. We will see I guess if they want me to have one every year then they want it for a reason so I will do it. Even though I dread mainly because of the pain it causes me.