Why would I be called for a colposcopy with only mild abnormalities?

[ballroomblitz]

The letter says minor abnormalities and the nurse confirms it's only mild, so why am I being called for a colposcopy? I thought for 'mild changes' it's a repeat smear in a few months? I'm not complaining and I will go for it but my mind's going a mile a minute that it's something more serious than they're letting on

Hi Ballroom was there any mention of HPV in the results? HPV can accelerate change of cells.

I was referred for a colposcopy last year when I only had mild abnormalities.

Everything was fine for me, hope it will be the same for you

Not sure. But I've had lots of colposcopies and they're worth it. Much better than a flat bed in a GP's surgery.

They should have a proper gynea chair and hopefully 2 chatty nurses doing it.

You'll be fine .

Mine was one chatty nurse and a gynae consultant :)

The management of mild changes has changed recently, an additional test for HPV is also done on the sample. The person who took your screening sample is supposed to explain about this at your appointment. There should also be a leaflet with the result which tells if HPV was detected.
The guidelines have been that women could be referred on the first occurrence of mild but many labs haven't done it.
Going for colposcopy now essentially means your cervix can be assessed and if the colposcopist thinks its ok you wont have another smear for three years (or five if you're over 50) rathe than having to go for follow up samples. Many women have a normal colposcopy with a mild changes sample.
Info about HPV testing is here