Hi there

It can be a worry to find out abnormal cells have been found in the cervix but please try not to over think this for now.

As you will be aware the screening programme is all about the prevention of cervical cancer by picking up any abnormality at an early stage where it can be monitored or treated.

High grade dyskaryosis means that some abnormal cells have been found in the screening sample and needs to be looked at more closely. This always happens in colposcopy so don't read too much into the oncology department mentioned on the letter.

It usually takes a long time ( years) for abnormal cells to turn into cancer and because you didn't have any abnormal cells last year it would be unlikely for cancer to have developed in this space of time.

At the appointment they can view the cervix more closely and take biopsies ( tissue samples) if needed to confirm the type and severity of the abnormal cells. Sometimes they treat at the time and in other cases they will wait for the biopsy results before actioning a treatment plan.

Rarely is a cancer diagnosed through the screening programme but when it is it is usually caught at an early and successfully treatable stage.

Wishing you all the best

Naomi