It’s a very alarming letter to receive. I remember it well. 
I can only talk positively about my experience of the whole thing. 
it’s so quick to be checked, followed up and treated. 

I had CIN3 cells and required a biopsy, this also showed CIN3 cells so I needed a colposcopy. 
A friend was all clear after biopsy and needed nothing. 

after my colposcopy and hot loop treatment the results came back within a week and it was all clear. I was then checked again 6 months later (smear test) and then 12 months later (smear test). I’m back to 3 yearly tests. 

the biopsy felt like a sharp scratch for the anaesthetic. Tbh it was more uncomfortable having the speculum put in. 
the hot loop treatment also had local anaesthetic and then it was like period pains for a few days. 

if you’re nervous, tell the nurse, they’re there to support you. I had a consultant doing the colposcopy and a nurse supporting me - chatting away to distract me. 
you can also watch on a screen  if you’re interested - I was. 

best of luck with it, hope you get on well. 

I also have a friend who turned out to be cancerous. She had to have her cervix removed. This happened within a month of the first smear. She’s since had 2 pregnancies and is completely cancer free. 
but her smear result was cancerous. Not precancerous. 

everyone I know who had precancerous cells were all given the all clear as it was caught early enough.

 Sending love and support x