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Colposcopy and biopsy

H324
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Hi,

I have had my smear come back as HPV positive since 2019. On this one it also came back as low grade abnormal cells and I was sent for a colposcopy. There they said it was very mild and no need for treatment.

since then, all my smears and one more colposcopy has shown that there have been no abnormal cells. This year I went for my smear and they said they couldn’t read the sample to check the cells. I went back in 3 months and they said the same thing and I would be sent for a colposcopy.

This sent me into a massive panic and as I have extreme anxiety I booked in for a private colposcopy which I am not sure was the best idea. I went yesterday and she took a biopsy. She never mentioned what level of abnormal cells she thought I had and I never thought to ask. I think I was in too much shock at having a biopsy as before my cells have always been ok. Does a biopsy mean something serious I have been found? I am absolutely worried sick and don’t know how to get through the next 10 days for my results.

does anyone know if it can change form no abnormal cells to high grade or even cancer in 18 months?

also does anyone know it the biopsy comes back and say I will need further treatment whether it will be easy to move back to the NHS?

sprry for the rambling post!

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    Hello H324, 

    I can imagine it has been a bit of an anxious time for you. As you can read on our information page on the colposcopy, it is not uncommon for them to take biopsies during a colposcopy so try not to worry too much about it - the important thing is you are in good hands now and if any abnormal cells were to be found which require treatment these are normally dealt with efficiently and effectively.  

    There is useful information on our website on private care and it mentions that "if you choose to have private care, you don’t lose your right to NHS treatment. So you can choose to move back to NHS care at any time." Make sure you ask though how long it would take to be seen if you moved from private care to having treatment done with the NHS and what the process would be like in terms of moving from one to the other - ask your GP or GP surgery maybe about this as they will be used to dealing with situations like yours and will be able to give you the best advice targeted to the area where you live and what the waiting times can be like there. 

    I hope that you won't have to wait too long for your results. The wait for biopsy results can be nerve-racking and I thought I would share with you these helpful tips to help you cope while waiting for important news.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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