Our Services

Medical Imaging & Screening Centre

Colposcopy

You may have been asked to attend for a colposcopy examination because you have had an abnormal smear, an inadequate smear or your GP or gynaecologist has requested a further opinion regarding the appearance of your cervix.

An abnormal smear result is not uncommon, about one in 12 smears is abnormal. The aim of the smear test is to look for pre cancerous cells on the surface skin of the cervix (neck of the womb). These pre cancerous cells could have the potential to develop into a cancer if left untreated over a period of years. It is clear that most women with these pre cancerous cells will never develop actual cancer but the abnormal changes act as an early warning signal.

Inadequate smears suggest there were an inadquate number of cells on the slide to enable accurate diagnosis or the cells were obscured by inflammation. In this case it is necessary to look at the cervix directly under magnification in order to determine if there is any abnormality that could be a pre cancerous change. Once the pre cancerous areas on the cervix have been identified it is normally very easy to remove them completely with treatment.

What is colposcopy?

Colposcopy is an examination that allows the gynaecologist to:

• look at the cervix in detail

• enables abnormal areas to be identified

• enables skin tissue to be sampled/biopsied

• helps decide if treatment is required.

The colposcope is a special magnifying aid which provides detailed inspection of  the cervix.  A speculum is placed in the vagina which is the same instrument that your GP or gynaecologist used to perform the smear test. The cervix is viewed under magnification and any areas that appear abnormal will need to be biopsied. A biopsy involves taking a pinch of skin about half the size of a grain of rice. For most women the examination is painless but some may find it a little uncomfortable.The actual examination will only take about 15 minutes but allow up to one hour for your visit.  The results of any biopsies may take up to 3- 4weeks. The gynaecologist will arrange an appointment to discuss your results and recommended management plan.  

It is possible to perform a colposcopy examination when you have your period, however please call to notify the consultant prior to your attendance.

Colposcopy can be carried out safely during pregnancy and will not affect delivery of your baby, nor will it affect your ability to become pregnant in the future.

Consultants: (click name to view bio)

• Dr S Dobbs

  Dr S Dobbs

• Dr Ian Harley

  Dr Ian Harley

• Dr C McElhenney

  Dr C McElhenney

• Dr H Nagar

  Dr H Nagar

• Dr Ramez Ayyoub

  Dr Ramez Ayyoub

  Lagan Valley Hospital

  Is a consultant at Lagan Valley Hospital in Lisburn. His special interests include Menopause (HRT) and Colposcopy. He welcomes referrals related to antenatal care and general gynaecology.