Gynaecology - Zedscan during Colposcopy

Why have I been referred to colposcopy?

The usual reason for having a colposcopy is because the results of your cervical screening test (smear test) suggests that there may be something wrong with the cells in your cervix. The screening test looks for early changes in the cells in the cervix which could develop into cancer in the future.

What is colposcopy?

Colposcopy is an examination of the cervix using a device known as a colposcope. It allows a doctor or nurse to assess the top layer of cells in the cervix, by applying a liquid stain which highlights any abnormal cells which are present.

What is ZedScan?

ZedScan is a new device that can be used during colposcopy to improve the ability of doctors or nurses to identify abnormal cells in the cervix. It provides the doctor or nurse performing the colposcopy with more information to determine how much the cells have changed and decide if treatment is necessary.

How does ZedScan work?

A standard colposcopy test allows the clinician performing the examination to see changes in the cells of the cervix because the abnormal cells change colour when the stain is applied. However, not all abnormal cells display these colour changes.

Zedscan applies a small electrical current to the cervix which measures the electrical properties of the cells of the cervix.
 
Abnormal cells have different electrical properties to healthy cells, so this test helps to identify the abnormal cells which may not be visible to the colposcopist during the standard examination.

After viewing the cervix for abnormalities, the doctor or nurse will take a series of 12 measurements from around your cervix using the ZedScan handset. This enables them to establish the extent of any abnormalities in your cervix in more detail than the standard test, allowing them to determine if any treatment is required and the best type of treatment.

Why is ZedScan being evaluated?

As mentioned above, there are some changes that take place to the cells of the cervix which may not be visible using the standard test and these may be better detected using ZedScan which examines the cervix in a different way.

Who is organising the evaluation?

The evaluation is being organised by Trustech (www.trustech.nhs.uk) on behalf of Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, the NHS organisation that pays for colposcopy services at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Will I be able to feel it?

Examination of the cervix using ZedScan is painless. You may feel a slight pressure when the ZedScan handset is placed in contact with the cervix as each measurement is taken but this should not cause any additional discomfort.

When are the results available?

The results from your ZedScan examination will be available to the colposcopist immediately after completing the examination.

If no abnormalities are detected or the changes in your cervix are minor, the risk of developing cancer is very low and there is a good chance that any abnormal cells may recover without needing any treatment. The doctor or nurse may ask you to return for another examination in 6 months to see if this is the case, or discharge you from the colposcopy clinic.

If the abnormalities are more pronounced, the clinician may decide to treat the cervix by removing the abnormal cells to prevent them from becoming cancerous. The colposcopist performing the examination will notify you if you require treatment and will either treat you immediately or arrange for another appointment for you to receive treatment.

In some cases, the colposcopist may decide to take a sample of the cells (a biopsy) so that they can look at the structure of the abnormal cells in greater detail using a microscope, before deciding what to do. It is not always obvious where about on the cervix the most abnormal cells are present, making it difficult for the colposcopist to determine which is the best area to take a sample from. ZedScan will help the doctor or nurse select the best biopsy site by identifying the area of your cervix where the cell abnormality is greatest.

How long will the ZedScan examination take?

The whole procedure will take 20-30 minutes in total. The first 15-20 minutes will consist of the visual inspection of the cervix (the standard test) followed by an additional 5 minutes to complete the ZedScan measurements. If the colposcopist decides to take a biopsy, they will take a few additional ZedScan readings to determine where to take the sample from, which will add a further 5 minutes to the appointment.

What are the possible risks?

ZedScan is a CE-marked medical device that has been approved for use in colposcopy and so does not pose any particular risk to patients.

What are the possible benefits?

The examination using ZedScan may identify disease that might not have been detected by conventional colposcopy, allowing for earlier treatment.

What will happen to the information collected as part of the evaluation?

All personal information will be treated as confidential. However, the results of the colposcopic ZedScan examinations will be rendered anonymous (your name and your hospital identification number will be removed) so that they can be analysed by members of the evaluation team outside the Royal Oldham Hospital.

What if I decide I don’t want to be part of this evaluation?

Participation in the evaluation is voluntary and if you decide not to participate you will have the standard colposcopic examination without the use of ZedScan; this will in no way affect your future care.

More Information

Please ask the colposcopist performing your examination if you have any further questions about your ZedScan results.
For more information on ZedScan, visit www.zilico.co.uk.