Misconceptions about routine colposcopy

Colposcopy is practised in two ways: (1) to assess women with abnormal screening findings and/or clinically suspicious cervix (called referral colposcopy), and (2) as part of a routine gynaecological examination (referred to as routine colposcopy). There are several misconceptions about routine colposcopy probably reflecting the lack of experience in using routine colposcopy. Misconceptions include: routine colposcopy is screening colposcopy, it is time-consuming, expensive, a waste of time, and the training and maintaining of colposcopic expertise is probably not sufficient in this setting. Routine colposcopy, however, is not a screening tool, it is not screening colposcopy, but capable of identifying cervical precursors and cancer, and thereby reducing the false rates of cervical cancer screening (mainly cytology). Unlike referral colposcopy, routine colposcopy is an inexpensive and rapid procedure conducted as a part of a pelvic examination and has no, or minimal, discomfort that certainly does not exceed that of smear taking, neither is it associated with any psychological burden. Routine colposcopy allows gynaecologists to be convincingly sure in their findings; ensure women having normal epithelium; evaluate abnormalities in details (without biopsy) and counsel patients immediately to alleviate the psychological effects and prepare them for a possible abnormal smear; as well as help make a diagnosis of obscure lesions.