If you have had an abnormal screening result or have symptoms of cervical cancer your doctor will recommend a colposcopy. A colposcopy is simply a close examination of your cervix by a specially trained doctor or nurse using a lighted magnifying instrument called a colposcope. A small sample of tissue(a biopsy) may be taken from your cervix and sent to a laboratory for testing. This will show if abnormal cells have spread from the skin covering your cervix to the tissue underneath. If you're found to have cervical cancer you may need to have other tests to find out if the cancer has spread.
Attribution: BUPA