Cervical screening:
the colposcopy examination
Why am I going to the colposcopy clinic?
You’ve been asked to go for a further examination because your
cervical screening has shown some cell changes on your cervix.
These changes act as early warning signals that cervical cancer
may develop in the future. It is important to remember that it is very
rare for these changes to be cancer.
What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is a simple examination of the cervix using a
colposcope (a type of magnifying glass). It lets the doctor or
specialist nurse look more closely at the changes on your cervix
to decide if you need treatment. The examination is similar to the
screening test, so some women may find it a bit uncomfortable.
Colposcopy can be done safely during pregnancy and will not affect
delivery of your baby, or your ability to get pregnant in the future.
Should I prepare in advance?
Some doctors and specialist nurses prefer not to do a colposcopy
during your period. Your appointment letter will tell you how to
rearrange your appointment, if necessary.
The examination takes only 15 minutes but you will need to allow up
to an hour for your whole visit. You may bring a friend or relative
with you.
For your own comfort, you may want to wear a loose skirt to your
appointment. You will then have to remove only your underwear for
the examination.
Some women have a slight discharge or bleeding after the
examination. You may want to bring a sanitary pad just in case.
What happens before the examination?
First, the doctor or specialist nurse will want to ask you
some questions. These will relate to your periods, the type of
contraception you use, and any operations or illnesses you have
had in the past. It is particularly helpful if you can remember the
date of the first day of your last period before attending the clinic.
What happens during the examination?
If not wearing a skirt, you will be asked to undress from the waist
down and to position yourself on a special couch which has
padded supports for your legs. A nurse will be with you during the
examination.
The doctor or specialist nurse will gently insert a speculum into your
vagina, just like your initial screening test. Sometimes a repeat test
will be carried out. Then the specialist will examine your cervix using
the colposcope. This looks like a pair of binoculars on a stand and
does not touch you or go inside you.
The specialist will dab liquids onto your cervix to highlight any areas
of cell changes more clearly. A small sample of tissue (a biopsy)
may be taken from the surface of the affected area. This may sting a
little but it should not be painful.
What happens after the examination?
The specialist may be able to tell you immediately what they have
found and what treatment, if any, is needed. You may be given
another appointment to come back to discuss the results of any
biopsy and any treatment you may need.
After the examination, you should feel well enough to continue
with your usual routine. If you’ve had a biopsy, you may have a light
bloodstained discharge for a few days but this is nothing to worry
about. You should not have sex for up to five days to allow the biopsy
site to heal. Do not use tampons until the discharge clears up.
What will the examination show?
The colposcopy and any biopsy results will show the type and
extent of the cell changes on the cervix. This will show if you need
treatment and, if so, what sort. Only very rarely will a biopsy show
cell changes that have already developed into cancer. Surgery and
other treatments are generally used to treat cervical cancer.
What if I need treatment?
Any treatment you may require is usually simple and can mostly
be done under a local anaesthetic as an outpatient. The choice of
treatment will depend on your particular case. Treatment may be
carried out at your first visit, but in some cases you may have to
come back to the clinic for your treatment.
What should I do after treatment?
After treatment, you may have a bloodstained discharge for six to
eight weeks. During this time, when you have your period you need
to use sanitary pads rather than tampons. It is also best to avoid
heavy exercise and not to have sex. This will allow the cervix to heal
as quickly as possible.
Will treatment affect my ability to have
children?
Treatment of cervical cell changes will not affect your ability to get
pregnant. However, some type of treatments may increase your risk
of having a premature baby in the future. The doctor or specialist
nurse will explain the risks of your treatment in detail.
Will I need to have check-ups?
Around six months after treatment you will be offered cervical screening
again to check that your treatment has been successful. If your result
is normal or shows mild or borderline changes, your sample will then
be tested for human papillomavirus (HPV). This is known as the
test of cure. If this test comes back negative for HPV, you will be at
very low risk of ongoing cervical disease at that point in time, but it will
be important that you attend for screening again in three years time.
If the cervical screening result shows moderate or severe changes,
or if the HPV test comes back positive, you will be referred for
another colposcopy.
Although one in five women will be invited back for another colposcopy,
only a few will need treated again. This is because it can take longer
than six months for your immune system to clear HPV after treatment.
What happens to my information?
The Northern Ireland cervical screening programme regularly
reviews screening records to monitor and improve the quality of the
programme and the expertise of specialist staff. Staff working for
the programme may see and review your records. Any information
relating to you will remain strictly confidential.
We may review your previous screening results if you are diagnosed
with cervical cancer. You will be able to see the results of this audit
if you wish.
If you need more information on how your records are kept and
used, the contact details for the screening programme can be
found at www.cancerscreening.hscni.net
Further information
If you have any further questions on your condition or treatment, do
not hesitate to discuss these with your GP or colposcopy clinic.
They will be happy to help you.
For more information, or this leaflet in another language or format, visit:
www.cancerscreening.hscni.net
www.becancerawareni.info
10/22
