Abnormal Cervical Cells
What happens next if my screening test shows abnormal cells?
If you have abnormal cells from your screening test, you have a colposcopy test to look closer at your cervix. The doctor or nurse can take samples of your cervix during this test.
Will I have treatment during my colposcopy?
The colposcopist might offer you treatment at the same time as your colposcopy. Or you may go back for treatment once they have your biopsy results.
What treatment will I have for abnormal cells?
The treatment you need for abnormal cervical cell changes depends on whether you have low grade or high grade changes.
What happens next if my screening test shows abnormal cells?
If you have abnormal cells from your screening test, you have a colposcopy test to look closer at your cervix. The doctor or nurse can take samples of your cervix during this test.
Will I have treatment during my colposcopy?
The colposcopist might offer you treatment at the same time as your colposcopy. Or you may go back for treatment once they have your biopsy results.
What treatment will I have for abnormal cells?
The treatment you need for abnormal cervical cell changes depends on whether you have low grade or high grade changes.
The treatment you need for abnormal cervical cell changes depends on whether you have low grade or high grade changes. Many women with low grade changes don't need treatment as the cell changes go back to normal on their own.
Your doctor or nurse might use the terms:
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)
cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN)
Abnormal cervical cells are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical screening tests for high risk types of HPV. If this shows that you have high risk HPV, a pathologist will look at the cells in more detail. This is done under a microscope and is called a cytology test. If the cells are abnormal, you will be referred for a test called to colposcopy.
If you tested positive for HPV, but your cytology results were normal, you will be invited back for a test in a year. If in a year you still test positive for HPV, then you might be referred for a colposcopy.
Your colposcopy and biopsy results will show if you need to have the abnormal cells removed or whether they can be left alone for now. This will depend on whether your CIN is low grade or high grade.
The chance of developing cervical cancer is unlikely. The abnormal cells will often go away on their own when your immune system gets rid of the HPV. This happens in most people. You will be invited for another cervical screening test in 12 months to check whether you still have HPV.
You have a higher chance of developing cervical cancer than someone with low grade CIN. The colposcopist will offer you treatment to remove the abnormal cells. This will lower your risk of developing cervical cancer.
A few different treatments can remove the area of abnormal cervical cells. The advantage of these treatments is that the cervical tissue removed can be sent for examination under a microscope.
In the laboratory, the pathologist rechecks the level of cell changes in the piece of tissue. This ensures your screening result is accurate. They also closely examine the whole piece of tissue. This way they know the area containing the abnormal cells has been completely removed.
Treatments include:
These treatments destroy the cells in the abnormal area. Normal cells can then grow back in their place.
These treatments include:
Last reviewed: 29 Sept 2023
Next review due: 29 Sept 2026
Most people feel fine after having treatment for abnormal cervical cells. Some may feel unwell and need to go home and rest. You will have some bleeding and pain following treatment for abnormal cervical cells.
An abnormal cervical screening test result means that you have changes in the cells covering the neck of your womb (cervix). These changes are not cancer.
If you are pregnant and have an abnormal screening test, what happens next will depend on your test result.
Not everyone diagnosed with cervical cancer will have symptoms. Things to look out for include unusual vaginal bleeding, pain during sex or vaginal discharge.
Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow uncontrollably and eventually form a growth (tumour).
Cervical screening uses HPV primary screening. The cervical cells are first of all tested for the HPV virus. If high risk HPV is found, the laboratory will test the sample for cell changes.
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