Following an abnormal Pap smear, which procedure is used to diagnose cervical cancer with biopsy?

• A. Colposcopy with biopsy
• B. Mammography
• C. Colonoscopy
• D. Bone scan

Answer: (A)

Diagnosing cervical cancer after an abnormal Pap smear requires tissue sampling from the cervix. Colposcopy with biopsy provides both magnified visualization and direct sampling of suspicious areas. A colposcope lets the clinician inspect the cervix in detail, often after applying acetic acid to highlight abnormal epithelium. When areas look suspicious, a biopsy is taken and sent to pathology to confirm whether CIN or invasive cancer is present. This combination is necessary because Pap smears screen and raise concern, but cannot by themselves distinguish benign changes from cancer. Other options like mammography, colonoscopy, or bone scans assess different organs or metastatic sites and do not diagnose cervical tissue.