Smear

bubblewrap

Hi guys,

I know I cannot receive medical advice here, I do know what is involved in my predicament as I have spoken to a nurse, all I need to know is if anyone else has had this...I have researched until my fingers have bled so I know what will happen in hospital but I just need to know how common it is and also if anyone has had worse.

Basically, I am 27 this week, I had my first ever smear last month, I have received reminders and ignored them before (I know that is bad but in the UK it is 25+).

Anyway, my result is severe dyskaryosis - I have been advised it is unlikely to be cancer but it is a warning. If it WAS cancer, would this show on the smear? Has anyone had a straight up smear result saying you have cancerous cells, get in ASAP?

Could I have CIN 3 and have a closer inspection to find it is worse? I am having the cells burnt out in 3 weeks. Am just worried. I am not asking what should I do because I know that, I am just asking about what results other girls here have received.

Thanks.

Faith

If you had cancerous cells, yes, the smear would detect them. That's what it's for. Be grateful it was caught early. Cryocautery is a very effective treatment. Let it just be a lesson to you to get regular smears from now on. You'll probably be asked to go for one again in a few months to check that the treatment worked.

If it is cryocautery you're getting done, I had it done about two weeks ago for a cervical erosion. It sounds terrifying but it was actually no worse than a smear. It's undignified because you're in a hospital gown with your legs in stirrups, but the only discomfort I had was from the speculum. You can't feel the cells being burnt off, although you might have some period-like cramping.

bubblewrap

Thank you so much faith, would the letter say cancerous cells then? I am having a loop thing done, LLETZ is it? She also mentioned a cone biopsy, think that is standard but they said they will treat me there and then. It is the 'severe' and 'biopsy' that scares me. She said she isn't expecting anything worse as the smear is pretty accurate but obviously the worst is going through my head. She said me not smoking will go in my favour.

Am going to have my bf there to hold my hand.

Das Kitty

Fair play to you for getting the smear done.

I would ring the doctor and ask for advice. They'll be able to put your mind at ease much more than we can on here. If it was serious though it would most likely be clear from the letter.

There are a couple of threads in the Ladies Lounge with people in the same boat as you if you want to check them out.

LegacyUser

I understand you're panic. I've been CIN 1 on and off for about five years now. I know one girl who had CIN 3 a few years back. She had the procedure, was called for it ASAP. Now she's absolutely fine, it hasn't re-occurred and she's expecting her first baby.

bubblewrap

Thank you very much, I will check that out. My heart is pounding, can't stop thinking about it and I have 3 weeks to go yet, and it is my birthday this week.

Faith

bubblewrap wrote: »

Thank you so much faith, would the letter say cancerous cells then? I am having a loop thing done, LLETZ is it? She also mentioned a cone biopsy, think that is standard but they said they will treat me there and then. It is the 'severe' and 'biopsy' that scares me. She said she isn't expecting anything worse as the smear is pretty accurate but obviously the worst is going through my head. She said me not smoking will go in my favour.

Am going to have my bf there to hold my hand.

The letter will say what exactly it is. As far as I understand, it goes roughly normal cells -> abnormal cells -> severely abnormal cells -> precancerous cells -> cancerous cells. Abnormal cells often resolve themselves over the course of a few months, however yours obviously haven't. The doctors are just being as safe as they can by treating them now. If they're taking a cone biopsy, it's to get a better look at the cells and examine them more closely. It is possible that they'll come back and say that after a closer look, the cells had been precancerous, but because you've already had them treated, you don't need to worry any more.

Basically, just be grateful that your doctors are being so proactive in treating things now before they run the risk of getting worse. Once they're treated, like I said, you'll more than likely have to get smears every few months for a while so they can make sure they don't come back.

It's completely natural to panic! I had a cervical erosion, which is completely unrelated to cancer, and I was still a bit shaken. They'll tell you everything you need to know when you go in for treatment. Even in the worst case scenario, it's all been caught early so it's very treatable. Cervical cancer takes years to develop, that's why regular smears are so effective.

There's some more information here, if you haven't read it already: http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/private-operations/gynaecology/cone-biopsy/.

As always, you can ring your doctor to chat about any concerns that you have.

bubblewrap

Thank you faith.

I was concerned that they wouldn't put 'cancer' in my letter to avoid scaring me but it is in their interest to let me know that so I should stop scaring myself.

The only thing that worries me is, they said because of the Jade thing, there is an influx of girls waiting for the colposcopy's so the first available appt is in 3 weeks so I said I would take that, shortly after I got a call saying we have managed to open another clinic this Wednesday if you want to come and I said I can't because I am away as from tomorrow for my birthday.

I just thought they called me in sooner because I am an urgent case but they would have said that wouldn't they if it was that bad rather than just give me the option?

It is just seriously bad timing, I can't cancel my trip at this short notice, they said as long as I am seen within 4 weeks, but this is 3! Does this mean it can get worse in that 4 weeks?

My letter just said if we don't hear from you within 7 days, we will send another reminder, that doesn't sound too urgent does it?

I hate this, my mind is working overtime. I just keep getting images of the nurse looking down there and saying it is a lot worse than they thought. :(