Women’s
& Children’s
Colposcopy
Information for patients
Welcome to the gynaecology service at King’s. The Colposcopy
Unit is situated in Suite 8 of the Golden Jubilee Wing. The information
in this leaflet is intended to be a general guide to the colposcopy service,
so not all of the information will apply to you.
1
,You will be given an opportunity to talk to the Colposcopist
(specialist doctor or nurse) before having your colposcopy
examination. The colposcopy examination leaflet provided by the
Cervical Screening Programme is also enclosed for your information.
In addition, you can get further information and clarification from
your GP or practice nurse.
What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix (neck of the womb)
using a special microscope (a colposcope) that allows the Colposcopist
to look more closely at your cervix than during a smear test.
During this examination the Colposcopist may also perform the
following procedures to diagnose or treat problems:
• removal of cervical polyps
• treatment of ectropion (a harmless change in cervical cells but
which can cause bleeding) using diathermy (heat)
• taking of cervical biopsies (very small samples of tissue)
• cervical smear
• removal of small part of cervix using LLETZ (Large Loop Excision of
the Transformation Zone).
Why do I need a colposcopy?
There are many reasons why you may have been referred to the
colposcopy unit. You might have had an abnormal smear test, or
have an unusual looking cervix, inadequate smears, bleeding with
sexual intercourse or cervical polyps.
2
, Does it mean that I have cancer?
Women who have regular cervical smears are very unlikely to
get cervical cancer. A colposcopy is done to try and detect early
abnormal changes of the cervix and to monitor these changes
until they return to normal. If more moderate or severe changes
are detected then we will advise you to have a LLETZ procedure
to remove the area of the cervix with the abnormality in case it
develops into cancer in the future.
Will I be treated on my first visit?
In most cases a decision to do a treatment on your first colposcopy
visit depends on your smear result and the findings of the
colposcopy examination. If there is strong evidence of an area of
moderate to severe abnormality at your first colposcopy examination
you may be offered treatment.
In cases where the examination shows less evidence of an
abnormality, the colposcopist may repeat the cervical smear and/or
do a cervical biopsy before the decision is made to do a treatment at
a future visit.
What happens before a colposcopy examination?
The colposcopist will ask you questions about your medical history
and answer any questions you may have. The colposcopist will
explain the risks, benefits and alternatives before proceeding with
the colposcopy examination and before taking a cervical biopsy or
doing a treatment (LLETZ or cautery to cervix). You will be asked if
you are happy for the colposcopist to go ahead with the procedure.
3
& Children’s
Colposcopy
Information for patients
Welcome to the gynaecology service at King’s. The Colposcopy
Unit is situated in Suite 8 of the Golden Jubilee Wing. The information
in this leaflet is intended to be a general guide to the colposcopy service,
so not all of the information will apply to you.
1
,You will be given an opportunity to talk to the Colposcopist
(specialist doctor or nurse) before having your colposcopy
examination. The colposcopy examination leaflet provided by the
Cervical Screening Programme is also enclosed for your information.
In addition, you can get further information and clarification from
your GP or practice nurse.
What is a colposcopy?
A colposcopy is an examination of the cervix (neck of the womb)
using a special microscope (a colposcope) that allows the Colposcopist
to look more closely at your cervix than during a smear test.
During this examination the Colposcopist may also perform the
following procedures to diagnose or treat problems:
• removal of cervical polyps
• treatment of ectropion (a harmless change in cervical cells but
which can cause bleeding) using diathermy (heat)
• taking of cervical biopsies (very small samples of tissue)
• cervical smear
• removal of small part of cervix using LLETZ (Large Loop Excision of
the Transformation Zone).
Why do I need a colposcopy?
There are many reasons why you may have been referred to the
colposcopy unit. You might have had an abnormal smear test, or
have an unusual looking cervix, inadequate smears, bleeding with
sexual intercourse or cervical polyps.
2
, Does it mean that I have cancer?
Women who have regular cervical smears are very unlikely to
get cervical cancer. A colposcopy is done to try and detect early
abnormal changes of the cervix and to monitor these changes
until they return to normal. If more moderate or severe changes
are detected then we will advise you to have a LLETZ procedure
to remove the area of the cervix with the abnormality in case it
develops into cancer in the future.
Will I be treated on my first visit?
In most cases a decision to do a treatment on your first colposcopy
visit depends on your smear result and the findings of the
colposcopy examination. If there is strong evidence of an area of
moderate to severe abnormality at your first colposcopy examination
you may be offered treatment.
In cases where the examination shows less evidence of an
abnormality, the colposcopist may repeat the cervical smear and/or
do a cervical biopsy before the decision is made to do a treatment at
a future visit.
What happens before a colposcopy examination?
The colposcopist will ask you questions about your medical history
and answer any questions you may have. The colposcopist will
explain the risks, benefits and alternatives before proceeding with
the colposcopy examination and before taking a cervical biopsy or
doing a treatment (LLETZ or cautery to cervix). You will be asked if
you are happy for the colposcopist to go ahead with the procedure.
3
