Cervical and vaginal cancer

Hi Sue1964

Thanks for getting in touch, and welcome to our online community.

My name is Anne-Marie and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

Waiting for test results can be a very difficult time, and many people may feel concerned about a follow-up appointment; however, it is important to remember that most people who have abnormal cell results will not develop cervical cancer or vaginal cancer.

When you have a colposcopy, the doctor or nurse can sometimes see the abnormal cells, but it is not clear how serious the changes are. If this happens, they take a small sample (biopsy) of the cells. This will be examined under a more powerful microscope to check if you need treatment. It may take 2 to 3 weeks to get the biopsy results, so you have been contacted within an expected time frame about your results.

About 6 in every 10 people have abnormal cells in their cervix – known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical glandular intra-epithelial neoplasia (CGIN). This is not cancer, but there's a risk that it could turn into cancer in the future if it is not treated. This could possibly be what the consultant wants to speak to you about.

In rare cases, a colposcopy and biopsy will find cervical cancer. If this happens, you'll be referred to a team of specialists to discuss treatment.

We have a booklet Understanding cervical screening and CIN you may find useful, and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has more information about biopsy results.

After a colposcopy, you may be offered treatment to remove an area of CIN. There are different types of treatment. Usually, only one treatment is needed to remove the abnormal cells completely.

They will only offer you treatment if they are sure the cells are very abnormal, and there is a risk of cancer developing.

Treatments for CIN are usually highly successful. To check, you will be asked to have another cervical screening test about 6 months after your treatment. Your sample will be carefully checked for signs of abnormal cells and high-risk HPV. What happens next depends on the results:

• If the sample shows no high-risk HPV and normal cells or only slightly abnormal changes, you will be asked to have cervical screening again in 3 years. Your risk of developing more serious abnormal changes in this time is extremely low. 
• If the sample shows high-risk HPV or more abnormal changes, you will be asked to have a more detailed check-up with another colposcopy.

For a few people, the colposcopy shows that an abnormal area of cells has come back, and more treatment is needed. This is not common. The same types of treatment can often be used again to remove or destroy the abnormal area of cells.

The abnormal cells you mentioned on the vaginal wall could possibly be due to vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN), this again is not cancer, but it would need treatment to ensure it does not develop into cancer in the future.  

There are several treatments for VAIN and the consultant will go through these with you if needed during your appointment.

Follow up if it is VAIN will mean regular appointments with your specialist, as there is a chance the VAIN could return.

We always recommend that everyone should take someone else with you to any appointment, as it can be difficult to take in all the information given to you by the doctor. If there is anything you want to ask the doctor, it may help to write the questions down beforehand.

Best Wishes

Anne-Marie

I hope that this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch again. We often find that we can help people more by talking to them directly. A conversation may make it easier to explore complex or emotional issues. You can speak to one of our experienced cancer information nurses by calling our free helpline on 0808 808 00 00 or by Webchat seven days a week 8am – 8pm.

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