Hello there

We can all appreciate that undergoing tests can be an anxious time but please take this one step at a time and try not to let your mind run away with you.

Cervical screening is all about the prevention of cancer by picking up abnormality at an early stage where it can either be monitored or treated until everything returns to normal.

High risk HPV is common and about 80% of the population will come into contact with it at some point in their life. It is caused by intimate skin to skin contact but the immune system will usually clear it within a couple of years of coming into contact with it and in most cases it doesn't cause any harm.

Sometimes the body doesn't clear HPV and it can persist, or it can sometimes clear and then reactivate at a later date so it is difficult to know when or where someone has picked it up.

HPV is known to be the main cause of abnormal cells to develop in the cervix, which is why it is now the first test to be done in cervical screening.

If high risk HPV is detected then they will check the sample in cytology ( under a microscope) for abnormal cells. If abnormal cells are seen they will see the person in colposcopy for a closer look and further tests or treatment if needed. Borderline cells mean that they look slightly different to normal cells.

There is always a possibility of a change to the cervix by the time you go to colposcopy and for some women it means the cells may have returned to normal or have slightly worsened but as it often takes many years for abnormal cells to turn into cancer cells it is highly unlikely that anything but abnormal cells that can be either monitored or successfully treated will be found.

If at colposcopy they need to take a biopsy this is able to confirm the type of abnormal cell as either CIN or CGIN here, these are all precancerous cells. This information will help guide treatment decisions as to whether they can just monitor the cervix or treat with a procedure such as LLETZ.

It is important to say how common it is for abnormal cells to be found and many many women have LLETZ procedures everyday. Whilst it may cause some irritation and some after affects that may interfere with some everyday activities ( swimming and intercourse) but this is only for a short while.

Usually if treatment is needed one LLETZ is often sufficient to remove the abnormal cells, occasionally more than one treatment is required but not always. Having LLETZ doesn't affect a woman's ability to conceive or carry and deliver healthy babies. In the rare situation where a woman has persisting abnormal cells and therefore multiple treatments it can weaken the cervix that may lead to pre term delivery a stitch can be placed at the cervix to prevent this.

As you say some people are assessed in colposcopy and if the abnormal cells are mild they may leave and recheck at a later date, this isn't uncommon as often milder changes will resolve by themselves without the need for treatment. If when they reassess the cervix they find the same or a change to the severity at that point they are likely to offer LLETZ. If all has cleared as well as being HPV negative you will at that point be returned to the 3 yearly programme as normal.

The majority of women who need treatment for abnormal cells don't have ongoing issues, need ongoing treatment or a hysterectomy or develop cancer so please try not to worry about this.

Best wishes

Naomi