Indications
None of the following means that the patient has cancer, they are only a reason to be vigilant.
- Abnormal Pap Smear / Positive HPV. This is the most common reason for referral to Colposcopy.
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Persistent vaginal discharge
- Unexplained pelvic pain
Pap Smear / HPV testing
Sexually active females between ages 24 – 65 are advised to have a primary HPV test every 5 years or, if not available, a Pap Test every three years.
A Pap smear is a simple test that involves collecting cells from the cervix for laboratory examination. It can find cervical cancer early, when it's more likely to be cured and can look for cells that could become cancer in the future.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is the name of a very common group of viruses that do not cause any problems in most people, but some types can cause genital warts or cancer. HPV is most commonly spread during sexual intercourse. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex.
A person carrying HPV can pass the infection to someone even if he /she has no symptoms. There is currently no reliable test to detect HPV in males. In females HPV can be detected by collecting a sample of cells from the cervix.
There are two groups of HPV. High Risk and Low Risk. High Risk viruses are responsible for over 99% of Cervical Cancer cases. Low risk viruses are responsible for genital and non- genital warts.
Services available at Abdali Colposcopy Clinic
- Pap Smear
- HPV Testing
- Colposcopy
- Cervical Biopsies
- LLETZ ( Large Loop Excision of Transformation Zone )
- Curative treatment of Precancer Cells
- HPV Vaccination