Hello and thanks for posting.

I can understand that you feel confused, but let me reassure you that what you have been told is following the protocols set by the NHS cervical screening service. These protocols are all evidence based from ongoing research.

A cervical smear can detect HPV and cell changes, a colposcopy with biopsy is a complementary and more in depth look into your cervix, this is why results can differ.

When performing the colposcopy the cervix area is sprayed with a type of weak acid, this makes the areas of abnormal cells appear white. This means the colposcopist knows where to biopsy from, but, not all white areas are CIN.  Sometimes these biopsy results do come back as different to their initial thoughts, which is why the role of biopsies is so important. Biopsies are the way of confirming what is going on, once a smear and a colposcopy have happened.

In your case the results didn't confirm CIN 1, if it had you would be going back for a repeat smear in a year.  Instead, it would now be expected that your immune system will get on top of the HPV in the next 6 to 18 months, which is normal, and you will return to a 3 year check. It isn't routine practice to keep calling women back until the HPV has all cleared, as some women can have HPV present and no cell changes at all. 

I hope that makes it a bit clearer for you, the main thing is sticking to the screening programme and attending future appointments. Unfortunately we do not know of anyway of helping the body get rid of HPV quicker, but we do know that if you do smoke it makes it more difficult.

Give us a call if you want to talk anything over. We are around weekdays from 9-5 and out number  is  Freephone 0808 800 40404. 

Take care,

Sarah.

On my smear it was HPV with CIN 1 low grade dyskaryosis, two years in a row, after a meeting and discussions they wrote to me advising a leep. Had the results back and it is HPV with no CIN so now they are going to have another meeting to discuss about the differences between my smear results and my biopsy results. This is all confusing for me. Can anyone shed any light or had same experience as me?

Hello and thanks for posting again,

I am sorry to hear about your confusion with your results and that it has all taken a long time since your original smear test. 

Everyone's case is so individual so it is very difficult to comment on your particular case. I am afraid that it is a case of waiting for the pathologists and the doctors to compare the two results before they can tell you any more. Sometimes results are not completely straightforward and the doctors need to get the opinion of the pathologist.

It sounds like your case will be discussed in a MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team) meeting where your specialist team will look at your results together.

As I am sure you are aware that low grade dyskaryosis show only mild changes in the cells.

You may find that other members of the forum will comment but it is very difficult to compare one person with another as everyone's results may be slightly different.

There is some information on Jo's Trust on screening results but of course it does not refer to your individual situation. Have a look here

Try not to over think what it all means. The doctors are just trying to work out how best to interpret the different results and when you should be seen again.

I hope this helps. If you want to ring and chat this through with one of the helpline nurses then you are more then welcome to do so. Our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

All the Best,

Catherine