Making the Diagnosis
The way to test for cervical cancer is to use a Pap test, named not after the papillomavirus, but after its inventor, George Papanicolaou. The test gives results that range from minor tissue inflammation due to hormones, to HPV infection, CINs, and cervical cancer. It can also sometimes detect uterine (endometrial) cancer. The test is simple and painless, involving no more than a gentle scrub with a small brush in the cervix (this is the most effective tool).
If the results show abnormal tissue, the next step depends on the tissue's appearance. Some results are not quite normal but not very worrisome either. This is particularly likely around the time of menstruation, or in women who have some kind of genital infection other than papillomavirus. Your doctor may ask that the test be repeated after a few weeks. Often, results are normal the second time.
Other results need to be checked more thoroughly. If your doctor suspects a CIN or tumor, the next step is usually colposcopy. This is similar to a standard gynecologic examination, except it's performed with a special microscope that shines a light on your cervix so the doctor can see it better and dye is put on the cervix to highlight the abnormalities. If there are lesions in the wall of the cervix that could be a CIN or tumor, a biopsy (tissue sample) will be needed. There are different types of biopsy procedure. Your doctor will advise which is the most suitable for your specific case. Small cancers can actually be removed entirely with these techniques. Sometimes, following colposcopy, women are told they had cancer and that it's been removed. In most of these cases, no further treatment is necessary. The same outpatient (i.e., no hospitalization involved) procedures can remove CINs.