Colposcopy - What is it?

When your cervical screening test has shown evidence of abnormal cells, you will be referred to a Gynae for a colposcopy examination. An abnormal result usually means that small changes have been found in the cells on the cervix (the neck of the womb). These changes act as early warning signals that cervical cancer might develop in the future. However, it is important to remember that it is very rare indeed for these abnormalities to be cancer.

Colposcopy is a screening and simple examination that allows the Gynae to see the type and site of the abnormality on your cervix.

During the examination, you will be asked to undress from waist downwards (though a full skirt need not be removed). A nurse will hep you to position yourself on a special type of couch. The couch has padded supports on  which you rest your legs.

When you are lying comfortably, the Gynae will gently insert a speculum into your vagina, just as when you had your cervical screening test. The Gynae will look at your cervix using a colposcope. The colposcope is specially adapted type of microscope. It is just a large magnifying glass with light source attached. It looks like a large pair of binoculars on a stand. It does not touch you or go inside you.

The Gynae will then dab different liquids onto your cervix to help identify and highlight any areas of abnormal cells. The abnormal areas will appear white. If any abnormal area is identified, a small sample of tissue (a biopsy) will be taken from the surface of the cervix. A biopsy is about the size of a pinhead. You may feel slight stinging but it should not be painful. The procedure will take about 15 minutes.

It will take about a few days before you get the results of the biopsy. The Gynae then will tell you what is wrong and what treatment, if any, is needed.

This article was contributed to Tab A Doctor by,
By Assunta Hospital, Malaysia