Hello Pp79 and thank you for your post,

I can appreciate why you are worried but please remember that the cervical screening programme is designed to pick up abnormal cells (if they are any).  It is very unlikely that these, when they are checked at the colposcopy unit, will be anything more serious such as cancer. 

HPV is a common infection passed on through skin to skin contact. Nearly everyone will have it at some point in their life. There are many different types of HPV but there are a few specific types that can cause cervical cells to become abnormal. These types of HPV are now checked as part of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. So it is not that unusual for anyone to be told that they have it.  

Most people clear HPV from their body in 1 to 2 years. The best thing to do to help this happen is not to smoke, this is because smoking can make the immune system less efficient at clearing infections. There is also some research which shows that HPV can lie dormant (sleep) in some people and could possibly cause a problem (cause abnormal cells)  some years after being infected. 

It is likely that you will now be given an appointment to be seen at the colposcopy clinic.  When you go there you will be seen by a specialist doctor or nurse who will look at your cervix in more detail and will explain what they can see and what will be needed to be done. For example if an abnormal area is seen a biopsy will be taken and you will be given treatment to remove abnormal cells. The biopsy result will give more information about the abnormal area (this is called CIN - Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia) but usually shows the same degree of abnormality as the smear test did, this would be known as a CIN 2 or 3.  Or it can show a lower degree of abnormality, a CIN 1. It can also show, although this is very unlikely to happen, a cancer.  Even if this happens, in most cases it will be at an early stage with a very good outlook.

We have information about abnormal cervical cells on are website, please do look at it, you can see it here 

I realise that this is worrying but please do not assume you have cancer, as I have said it is unlikely that you have it.  Remember that by always attending your Cervical Screening appointments you are greatly reducing the risk of ever getting cervical cancer.

I hope you have some support and please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Caroline