cervical cancer and colposcopy

Question 1

Before puberty, the cervix is lined by squamous epithelium. As you progress up into the os, somewhere along the endocervical canal, the squamous epithelium becomes

Answer 1

columnar.

\During puberty and also during pregnancy, the squamo-columnar junction (SCJ) will migrate down out of the os, and onto the cervical surface, and can be seen from the vaginal side on speculum examination. This is a normal physiological change and is usually referred to as ectopy.

Question 2

treatment fro various CIN grades

Answer 2

Level 1 – usually not treated, and regresses without intervention in the majority of cases. If persistent, (e.g. >1-2y) then treatment may be recommended
Level 2-3 – usually treated – most commonly via LLETZ in colposcopy clinic

Question 3

cervical screening

Answer 3

he first invitation is sent to eligible people at the age of 24.5 years. People aged 25 to 49 receive invitations every 3 years. People aged 50 to 64 receive invitations every 5 years.
If HPV is not found, the individual will be offered a screening test again in 3 to 5 years (depending on age).

HPV positive: no abnormal cells
If your sample is HPV positive we also test it for abnormal cervical cells. If none are found, your result will say you have HPV, but no abnormal cells. We will ask you to come for screening again sooner than usual (your result letter will explain when). This is so we can check if your immune system has got rid of the HPV (this happens in most cases). 12months

3. HPV positive: abnormal cells found
   There are several ‘grades’ of abnormal cells as some are more serious than others. Your result letter will explain what your results mean. If you have HPV and any grade of abnormal cervical cells we will refer you for colposcopy (see information below). We will send you our information leaflet NHS cervical screening – having a colposcopy.
4. Inadequate result
   Occasionally a sample may be called ‘inadequate’. This may be due to a technical problem, for example, if the laboratory cannot get an HPV test result from your sample or cannot see if abnormal cells are present or not. If you have an inadequate test, we will ask you to have cervical screening again in 3 months’ time. We wait so that there are enough cells again to get a sample from.