Abnormal smears

Cervical smears are examined under a microscope to look for cells that do not look completely normal. Classifying the cells on a smear is not an exact science. It is not always obvious whether cells are normal or whether they have changes associated with early disease. The abnormalities range from "borderline changes and "mild dyskaryosis" to "severe dyskaryosis". If you have moderate or severe dyskaryosis you will be referred to a gynaecologist for an examination called colposcopy. If you have borderline changes or mild dyskaryosis you will normally be asked to have another smear test after about 6 months. Recent studies have found that over 95% of women with borderline changes or mild dyskaryosis will recover without treatment within 3 years. Most women, however do not wish to wait for three years, and so it is usual to suggest that a woman sees a gynaecologist if she has a second smear with mild dyskaryosis.

Links to: CSW repeat smear, CSW abnormal smear, NHS Cervical Screening Programme

Colposcopy
Colposcopy is the name of an examination that is carried out by a gynaecologist or a specially trained nurse using a colposcope. A colposcope is like a pair of binoculars or a microscope that allows the nurse or doctor to make a thorough examination of the cervix.
The examination takes place on a couch. The nurse or doctor will use a speculum to hold open the walls of the vagina. She will then dab a liquid onto the cervix to highlight any abnormal areas. A light is shone on the cervix and the colpsocope is used to carefully look at the magnified cervix. A small sample of cells (a biopsy) may be taken from the cervix for later examination under a microscope. This may cause discomfort similar to a period pain.

Links to: CSW colposcopy, NHS CSP colposcopy, British Society for Colposcopy & Clinical Pathology

DIM
DIM is an abbreviation for diindolylmethane a food supplement currently being investigated for its cancer preventing properties. DIM and the closely related Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) are naturally occurring substances extracted from vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli. They have been identified as compounds that could potentially prevent or halt the development of cancer. A small trial in women with high-grade cervical abnormalities was undertaken in the USA. Over 12 weeks, the abnormalities cleared in eight of 17 patients receiving I3C, compared to none of 10 patients receiving sugar tablets.

Research suggests that DIM is the major active by-product of I3C and that it may be better tolerated than I3C.
Links to: (see previous list)

HPV
HPV stands for human papilloma virus. There are over 100 types of HPV only some of which infect the cervix. The vast majority of cervical cancer is caused by one of half a dozen different types of HPV. However, infection with HPV is extremely common, particularly in sexually active young people. Most women who are infected with HPV will never develop cervical cancer. In most cases the virus is cleared by the body's own immune system. Occasionally, this does not happen and the virus can eventually take over control of the cells within the cervix making them grow in an uncontrolled fashion. This is how cervical cancer starts, but it only happens extremely rarely.
Links to (see previous list).