Women with abnormal smears are investigated by doctors who specialize in this area of gynaecology. Usually this requires colposcopy which is the use of a microscope to examine the cervix (neck of the womb).
When an abnormality is found, a biopsy may be taken to determine if there is evidence of dysplasia (pre-cancer) on the cervix. This is a change in the cells of the cervix which may become cancerous if left untreated over the next 10 years.
Treatment of these cells is usually performed quite easily either under local or general anaesthetic. The results of treatment are excellent. However, careful follow up is required to ensure that these abnormal cells do not recur.
