Colposcopy Unit
The Colposcopy Unit is based in the Women and Child Unit at Peterborough City Hospital, within the Gynaecology Outpatients Department.
Colposcopy is an outpatient procedure in which a special microscope (colposcope) is used to look at the neck of the womb (cervix) and vagina. It does not go inside you. For most women this is a painless examination but some may find it as uncomfortable as having a smear taken.
We have clinics on a Monday AM, Wednesday AM, Thursday PM and Friday AM, with a satellite clinic at Stamford Hospital on Thursday PM. These are held by one of the following Consultant Colposcopists Mr Ramsay, Mr Sriemevan, Mr Havenga, Dr McKay and Miss Samarasinghe. We also have one Nurse Specialists, Denise Quinton and one trainee colposcopist, Michelle Hydes.
The department receives referral via your GP or directly from our cytology laboratory if your smear has been reported as abnormal and requires colposcopy.
The following are reasons why we may be seeing you:
• Abnormal cervical smear
• Abnormal persistent vaginal bleeding
• Abnormal appearance of your cervix
The time frame of the appointment depends on the severity and type of referral. But we usually see all patients within five weeks. You will see either a doctor or specialist nurse, who will assess your problem. We may have to take a biopsy or recommend treatment.
If you are referred to colposcopy it is extremely important that we see you. Many women will have a variety of feelings in being referred to us. These include:
· FEAR of having cancer – remember the vast majority have early changes that are not cancer
· EMBARRASSMENT – understandably, many women find the examination embarrassing and frightening. You are not alone.
You can always talk to your GP, Practice Nurse or Colposcopy Specialist Nurse.
You are very welcome to bring someone with you, and if you would like they can be present during the examination.
Colposcopy is an outpatient procedure in which a special microscope (colposcope) is used to look at the neck of the womb (cervix) and vagina. It does not go inside you. For most women this is a painless examination but some may find it as uncomfortable as having a smear taken.
We have clinics on a Monday AM, Wednesday AM, Thursday PM and Friday AM, with a satellite clinic at Stamford Hospital on Thursday PM. These are held by one of the following Consultant Colposcopists Mr Ramsay, Mr Sriemevan, Mr Havenga, Dr McKay and Miss Samarasinghe. We also have one Nurse Specialists, Denise Quinton and one trainee colposcopist, Michelle Hydes.
The department receives referral via your GP or directly from our cytology laboratory if your smear has been reported as abnormal and requires colposcopy.
The following are reasons why we may be seeing you:
• Abnormal cervical smear
• Abnormal persistent vaginal bleeding
• Abnormal appearance of your cervix
The time frame of the appointment depends on the severity and type of referral. But we usually see all patients within five weeks. You will see either a doctor or specialist nurse, who will assess your problem. We may have to take a biopsy or recommend treatment.
If you are referred to colposcopy it is extremely important that we see you. Many women will have a variety of feelings in being referred to us. These include:
· FEAR of having cancer – remember the vast majority have early changes that are not cancer
· EMBARRASSMENT – understandably, many women find the examination embarrassing and frightening. You are not alone.
You can always talk to your GP, Practice Nurse or Colposcopy Specialist Nurse.
You are very welcome to bring someone with you, and if you would like they can be present during the examination.