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Colposcopy - Results

Results-Colposcopy

After a colposcopy, your doctor or nurse will often be able to tell you what they've found straight away.

If they take a biopsy (remove a small sample of tissue to be examined in a laboratory), you may need to wait up to 4 to 8 weeks to receive your result by post.

See below for information about what the different results mean.

Normal result

About 4 in every 10 women who have a colposcopy have a normal result.

This means no abnormal cells were found in your cervix during the colposcopy and/or biopsy and you don't need any immediate treatment.

You'll be advised to continue with cervical screening as usual, in case abnormal cells develop later on.

Depending on your age, you'll be invited for a cervical screening appointment in 3 or 5 years.

Abnormal result

About 6 in every 10 women have abnormal cells in their cervix – known as cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical glandular intra-epithelial neoplasia (CGIN).

This isn't cancer, but there's a risk it could turn into cancer if untreated.

Abnormal cells may be detected while a colposcopy is carried out, but a biopsy will be needed to determine what the risk of these becoming cancerous is and whether treatment is needed.

The different types of abnormal biopsy result and what they mean are as follows:

CIN 1 – it's unlikely the cells will become cancerous and they may go away on their own; no treatment is needed and you'll be invited for a cervical screening test in 12 months to check they've gone
CIN 2 – there's a moderate chance the cells will become cancerous and treatment to remove them is usually recommended
CIN 3 – there's a high chance the cells will become cancerous and treatment to remove them is recommended
CGIN – there's a high chance the cells will become cancerous and treatment to remove them is recommended

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.

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has more information about biopsy results.

Colonoscopy - Results

Results-Colonoscopy

You should get a letter or a call with your results 2 to 3 weeks after a colonoscopy.

If your GP sent you for the test, they should also get a copy of your results – call the hospital if you have not heard anything after 3 weeks.

Normal results

This means no growths (polyps) or cancer have been found in your bowel.

You might be asked to have a colonoscopy again in 5 years to check everything is still okay.

Growths (polyps)

Your results may show they found and removed growths (polyps).

Your results will also say if, after testing the growths, they think you need any further treatment.

Or they may just say you need to come back in the future for a check-up colonoscopy.

Bowel cancer

If your results say you have cancer, you'll see a cancer specialist for treatment as soon as possible.

The earlier anything is found, the easier and the quicker it can be treated.

A bowel condition that's not cancer

A colonoscopy can help to confirm if you have a bowel condition that's not bowel cancer.

This could be:

If you have one of these conditions you may need more treatment.

Speak to a GP to find out the next steps.

Support is available

Most of the time a colonoscopy will not find anything to worry about.

But it might help to speak to someone if you're feeling worried about your results.

You can get in touch with charities such as:

Amniocentesis - Results

Results-Amniocentesis

After amniocentesis has been carried out, the sample of amniotic fluid will be sent to a laboratory for testing.

Getting the results

The first results should be available within 3 working days, and this will tell you whether a chromosomal condition, such as Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome or Patau's syndrome, has been found.

If rarer conditions are also being tested for, it can take 3 weeks or more for the results to come back.

You can usually choose whether to get the results over the phone, or during a face-to-face meeting at the hospital or at home.

You'll also receive written confirmation of the results.