Having regular Pap tests is the best way to monitor cervical health. Many patients will experience an “abnormal” Pap test during their lifetime, which can be caused by infection with HPV (human papilloma virus). This infection can lead to cervical dysplasia, a potentially precancerous condition in which abnormal cells grow on the cervix. These individuals may need an additional Pap test, a test for HPV, or a more detailed test called a colposcopy. The prognosis is excellent for those patients with cervical dysplasia who receive appropriate follow-up and treatment. If cervical dysplasia goes undiagnosed or the patient doesn’t receive necessary treatment, they are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Care Center
2 Dudley Street
5th Floor
Providence, RI 02905
P: (401) 274-1122, ext. 42735
Please be advised that this location is a provider-based clinic and both a physician and facility fee will be assessed, which may result in a higher out-of-pocket expense.
Colposcopy is usually done as a follow-up exam to help find the cause of an abnormal Pap test. Colposcopy is a procedure that gives a magnified view of the cervix and/or vagina using a lighted microscope called a colposcope and identifies areas that may need to be biopsied. Similar to a Pap test, it is a very safe procedure. It usually takes less than 10 minutes, and most women have only minor discomfort.
LEEP – or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure – is a way to remove abnormal cells from the cervix by using a thin wire loop that acts like a scalpel. An electric current is passed through the loop, which cuts away a thin layer of the cervix. LEEP takes approximately 10 minutes and may cause some discomfort – local anesthesia is used to prevent pain.
Women & Infants Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Care Center (OGCC) works to provide efficient and specialized care of patients with genital dysplasia through the Women & Infants Dysplasia Program.
The physicians in the Women’s Dysplasia Program:
Dr. Christine Brousseau is an academic specialist in general obstetrics and gynecology. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed her OBGYN residency at the same institution. She received a master’s degree in public health from Brown University. Dr. Brousseau is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Rebecca Allen is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medical Science, Section of Medical Education, at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and in complex family planning. Dr. Allen has been an attending physician in the Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island since 2007. She is the Director of the Ryan Residency Training Program in family planning for the OBGYN residency at Brown and of Family Planning services for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Care Center at Women and Infants Hospital. Dr. Allen specializes in contraception and abortion care as well as cervical dysplasia and colposcopy.
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