Colposcopy helps in the early detection of cervical cancer, especially in cases without clinical symptoms. It's used to evaluate the cervix, particularly in patients with abnormal cytological results, abnormal smear tests, or positive HPV 16 or 18 tests. Because cervical cancer is slow-growing, changes observed during gynecological examinations can be more easily assessed with colposcopy.

Colposcopy plays a vital role in the early diagnosis of cervical cancer, but its applications are not limited to this. While early detection of cervical cancer is a primary reason for performing colposcopy, it's also used in the diagnosis and follow-up of various other conditions.

The answers to questions such as "Why is colposcopy performed?", "What are the indications for colposcopy?", or "When should colposcopy be performed?" include:

* Diagnosis of cervical cancer
* Evaluation of suspicious lesions on the vulva
* Diagnosis of visible precancerous changes on the vulva (the outer part of the female genitalia)
* Evaluation of long-standing vulvar itching
* Diagnosis of precancerous (not yet cancerous, but with potential to become cancerous) changes in the cervical tissue
* Diagnosis of precancerous changes in the vaginal tissue

In addition, colposcopy may be performed:

* During pregnancy
* In cases requiring investigation of infertility
* Before any surgery on the cervix