An abnormal cervical smear test result
Currently in the UK, 1-2% of women aged 25-35 years will have an abnormal smear. It is most common within this age group, being extremely rare before the age of 15 years and falling off to 0.5-1% after 40 years.
With minor abnormalities, more regular cervical smear tests may be all that is needed for a period of time. For many women, minor changes will return to normal.
By having more frequent cervical smear tests, as recommended by your doctor, it is possible to monitor and check the cervix and that the changes have not progressed any further.
If you need further tests you will be referred to a hospital where you will be seen by a gynaecologist who is specially trained in diagnosing and treating abnormalities of the cervix. The technique used is known as Colposcopy.
Having an abnormal smear does not mean that you have cancer, or are going to develop it in the future.
Treatment
– Laser treatment
Laser treatment takes only minutes and very efficiently removes the area of abnormal surface tissue on the cervix by focusing a very intense beam of light which vaporises it. As it can be directed very accurately, it doesn’t disturb the rest of the cervix. The treated area takes a few weeks to heal with new healthy tissues growing over the area. To try to numb possible pain, a local anaesthetic is used on the cervix before the treatment starts.
– Cone Biopsy
The cone biopsy operation has been the standard treatment for abnormal cervical cells for many years. It is a minor operation to remove the part of the cervix with the abnormal area of surface tissue (roughly in a cone shape 1cm.deep). Since colposcopy has been available to locate exactly where the abnormal cells are, the operation can be accurately directed.
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