Abnormal smear and high risk HPV. Waiting for colposcopy

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  • Post
    • July 16, 2026 at 7:08 pm
    second_tuesday
    Participant

    Letter said abnormal cells and high risk HPV detected, referred for colposcopy in three weeks. I have read the leaflet four times and I still feel like I’m waiting to be told something worse.

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Member experience, not medical advice. Symptoms overlap between infections and only a test can tell them apart.
  • Replies
    • July 17, 2026 at 4:08 pm
    half_light
    Participant

    What that letter describes is the screening programme doing precisely what it exists to do: finding changes early, long before they’d become a problem, so they can be looked at properly.

    Colposcopy is a closer look with a magnifier. Some people have a small sample taken. It’s uncomfortable rather than painful for most, and it’s an appointment, not a verdict.

    • July 19, 2026 at 3:08 pm
    kite_and_string
    Participant

    Went through this two years ago. Abnormal cells, colposcopy, minor treatment, back on routine screening now.

    Take something to listen to for the waiting room and ask them to talk you through what they’re seeing as they go if that helps. Mine did and it was much better than lying there guessing.

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