Abnormal Pap Smears
Abnormal pap smears are very common and are often a result acquiring an HPV infection. Although most HPV infections resolve on their own, monitoring is necessary because some may progress to high-grade lesions that require treatment to reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Other factors, such as inflammation or infection of the cervix, can also cause abnormal pap smears. When an abnormality is detected, further examinations are conducted to closely examine the cervix. This procedure is called a colposcopy which gives the gynaecologist a magnified view of the cervix. During the colposcopy a biopsy may be performed to determine whether immediate treatment is necessary or if regular monitoring will be enough. In cases where the pap smear shows a high-grade abnormality, treatment involves a large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).
This procedure can be performed by Dr Sonya Jessup under local anaesthesia in the clinic rooms or under general anaesthesia in the theatre at Waratah Private Hospital.
