Popularly, it is most often construed to mean the life expectancy at birth for a given human population, which is the same as the expected age at death. However, technically life expectancy means the expected number of years remaining to live, and it can be calculated for any age.
Try not to worry if you've been referred for a colposcopy. It's very unlikely you have cancer and any abnormal cells won't get worse while you're waiting for your appointment. What happens during a colposcopy. A colposcopy is usually carried out in a hospital clinic. It takes about 15-20 minutes and you can go home the same day. During the procedure:
If your PAP test is normal, but your high-risk HPV test is positive, do not panic. Nothing further needs to be done. What's recommended is that you have another PAP test and high-risk HPV test in 6 to 12 months time. If your PAP test is abnormal, and your high-risk HPV test is positive, we recommend colposcopy, which is a further evaluation of the cervix under a microscope. If your PAP test is abnormal and your high risk HPV test is negative, we still recommend colposcopy, because remember we are treating the abnormal cells on the cervix that HPV can cause.