Health Information
Colposcopy and Cervical Biopsy
What To Think About
- Colposcopy is not usually used as a screening test for women at high risk for cervical cancer. A Pap test is done for that purpose. But a colposcopy gives you and your doctor more information if you have an abnormal result from a Pap test.
- If a colposcopy and cervical biopsy are normal, it is not likely that you have cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. But your doctor may still want you to have Pap tests more often for a period of time.
- Another biopsy may be needed if a Pap test, colposcopy, and cervical biopsy show different results.
- Women with Reference human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Opens New Window have a higher chance of developing cervical cancer. A colposcopy is usually recommended for women with HIV and an abnormal Pap test.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 22, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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