Hello there and thanks for posting

I am sorry to hear you are having to go to colposcopy on Friday and are feeling quite anxious about this.

Just to say as you are probably aware HPV is extremely common with most people coming in contact with it at some point in their lives. Most of the time the body will clear the infection but sometimes high risk strains of HPV ( different to the low risk strains causing warts) cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix which is why this is checked for as the first test in cervical screening.

If left undetected the abnormal cells over time may turn into cancer cells but this often takes many years to happen so as long as women or people with a cervix attend as called for their screening and any follow up needed the risk of this happening is extremely low.

Screening is all about preventing cancer and with the cervix it is about detecting abnormality at an early stage where it can either be monitored ( kept an eye on) or treated ( removed) to stop it turning into cancer.

Low grade dyskaryosis means they have seen some slightly abnormal cells under the microscope. At colposcopy they are able to stain the cervix with acetic acid which enables them to take a closer look that helps them to decide what needs to happen next. They may wish to also carry out a biopsy ( tissue sample) of the abnormal areas to send off to the lab to confirm the type of abnormality but often low grade abnormal cells will clear by themselves without needing treatment.

I hope your appointment goes well. You may wish to try and call ahead to let them know the discomfort and difficulty you face with screening or let them know as soon as you arrive so they can put you at ease.

All the best

Naomi

Thank you so much!