<unk>  ( + skopos "look at") is a medical diagnostic procedure to visually examine the cervix as well as the vagina and vulva using a<unk> . The main goal of<unk>  is to prevent cervical cancer by detecting and treating precancerous lesions early. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection and the underlying cause for most cervical cancers. Smoking also makes developing cervical abnormalities more likely. Other reasons for a patient to have a<unk>  include assessment of diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure in utero, immunosuppression, abnormal appearance of the cervix or as a part of a sexual assault forensic examination.<unk>  is done using a<unk> , which provides a magnified and illuminated view of the areas, allowing the<unk> st to visually distinguish normal from abnormal appearing tissue, such as damaged or abnormal changes in the tissue (lesions), and take directed biopsies for further pathological examination if needed. The procedure was developed by the German physician Hans Hinselmann, with help from Eduard Wirths. The development of<unk>  involved experimentation on Jewish inmates from Auschwitz.
Colposcopy
Frozen section procedure
Cervical conization
Polypectomy
Endometrial biopsy
Breast self-examination
Pap test
Estrogen receptor test