Worries about cervix issue

LegacyUser

Mods, I'm not asking for medical advice here, just reassurance/support I guess!

I just turned 24 and live near Belfast. Up here in the north, we were called for first smear tests at age 20 - I went for mine but due to persistant issues with bacterial vaginosis/thrush, they couldn't get clear readings and I was eventually sent for a colposcopy. I was 22 by the time I went in for that and they discovered some very mild abnormalities. Went back 6 months later and they had almost gone away (I was thrilled) and my smear came back 'normal'. Last November I went again and the abnormalities were back, but the smear result came back normal again. I was given the option of LLETZ treatment, but declined as I wanted to wait and see if the abnormalities got worse (the treatment does have a chance of complications). I was supposed to go back in May, but they're running behind and it looks like it'll be at least September before I get in.

I am feeling worried, as the consultant told me the cells can change considerably in 6 months and it'll be 9 or 10 by the time I go back. I guess maybe he just meant change enough so that I'd decide to have the treatment, rather than anything serious happening but it's hard not to be paranoid, especially with the whole Jade Goody situation! I keep telling myself that if I lived in the Republic, I wouldn't have even been screened until I was 25 and the smears I've had came back as normal, so I'd think all was perfectly grand if I hadn't been in for the colposcopy! It's just difficult cos I DO know something is up and it's always at the back of my mind

LegacyUser

I had the Lletz treatment. I wouln't worry too much. Its uncomfortable but you;ll be fine after.

LegacyUser

I had LLETZ last month because I had severe pre-cancerous cells. I live in the UK and my first smear was at almost 27 (bad I know, kept putting it off).

Putting it off is the worst thing you can do. It will be constantly on your mind and the LLETZ doesn't take that long, please make sure you book an appointment.

Luckily I have had the all clear but there is always a chance of it returning and you have to take every bit of help and treatment you can, I will never put a smear off again.

LegacyUser

Hey, I think my post maybe wasn't clear. I'm not putting anything off, I went for a smear at 20 and have been regularly for colposcopy, but the hospital is running 3 or 4 months behind and I haven't received an appointment. I've been on the phone once a week for the last 2 months asking when I'll be seen! I guess I'm not their top priority since my last few smears were 'normal' in spite of the abnormalities they saw during colposcopy and I'm only just 24...

As far as LLETZ is concerned, I was waiting to see if things got worse before opting to have it. I went to a Dr in Dublin who reckoned there was no need for treatment at my age and that if I still had abnormalities in a year or so, to get treatment then. I think if things are the same next time, I'll get it anyway while I have the chance. The thing is, even if I get the treatment, I still need regular checkups and the cells could come back, so I think it's going to be on my mind no matter what

LegacyUser

Hey there, try not to worry yourself too much hard as that may seem. I have been through a similiar situation and have recently been notified my last smear was abnormal. If your smears came back okay, it may not be as serious as you think. Smear testing is specifically designed to highlight pre-cancerous cells. It may not pick up an infection and if it does, it generally will be diagnosed as abnormal/borderline changes. A smear that does find pre-cancerous cells will be diagnosed with abnormal, then CIN1, CIN2, CIN3, CIN 4 and CIN5 and as far as I am aware CIN1 would be the minor changes and CIN5 would be at an advanced enough stage of cervical cancer. As the colyoscopy found abnormalties, that would not be unusual if you had a infection, be it mild or not. Thrush is one of many common infections that would show up as abnormal on this examination. After an examination like this is done, generally a biopsy is sent of for testing. I'm sure if you rang them to ask them the exact diagnosis is may well be an infection. People who suffer with reoccuring thrush would sometimes have a hormone imbalance. This could be related to the contreception they use, the pill ie hormones in it or even condoms can cause thrush with some women. I hope this will give you some piece of mind. I do believe that if your diagnosis was serious that they would have made it there business to get you seen to before now. Jade Goodys death did good for this issue and cervical cancer is curable if caught at the early stages. You are looking after yourself as a women, you will be okay.

Cleopatra12

I had a LLETZ procedure done. No problems with it. Fine after a few days. its not a big thing at all. Had CIN3 cells removed. Clear for a year and a half, CIN1 came back, and another 1.5 years on still ahve them but they have not canged. Have to go back to colposcopy unit.

Am not freaked out in the slightest. Screening has become so good, that they are picking up on everything now.

To the OP, a friend of mine had a LLETZ done at 23. Has had no probs since. Just listen to your doc advise and go with that. if concerned, ask him/her if it was their daughter in your position, what would they say...

LegacyUser

Remember to always ask the questions, why, what might be causing this infection? reoccuring abnormalities? Generally they dont feel the need to explain all the details, just the diagnosis.....but I have found that they will explain the details when asked. Being completely informed has given me piece of mind. And it will do the same for you.

I also have a friend who at 17 suffered a miscarraige and was suffering with cervical cancer for a few years afterwards. It was as I remember at a serious enough stage and constantly had cells removed by LETZ. It was also serious enough that the doctor spoke to her about a historectomy at the age of about 24. She refused. She is 39, happily married with 3 very healthy children. The point Im making is that even in the very unlikely event that your situation is diagnosed as serious, the treatments and services available can fix the problem and it has developed even more over the years. I wish you the very best.

Macha

Unregistered wrote: »

Hey, I think my post maybe wasn't clear. I'm not putting anything off...As far as LLETZ is concerned, I was waiting to see if things got worse before opting to have it.

I'm afraid these two sentences don't make sense together.

You are putting something off: treatment for your condition. There is absolutely no reason to delay having the LLETZ treatment. I had sever pre-cancerous cells last year, had the LLETZ treatment a month later and got the all clear just before Christmas. I then had my first post-LLETZ smear in April and got another all clear in June.

There is nothing to fear about the operation and it can be of vital importance. I would strongly advise that you go and get it done.

LegacyUser

But there IS a reason to put off having it done if the abnormalities are fairly mild and you're still young. There's a small chance it can weaken the cervix, causing problems during pregnancy etc. The reason the screening age was put up to 25 was because of concerns that treating abnormalities too early could do more harm than good. You had severe abnormalities, I didn't. If they had been any more serious, I would have definitely opted for treatment but according to the consultant, they were milder than most people who attend this clinic. He gave me the option of having it done to (hopefully) get rid of the problem or waiting another 6 months to see if they regressed on their own, as they have previously. I should add that I couldn't get it done there and then as they hadn't the equipment to do it. I'd have been on a waiting list and not seen until about March anyway. I asked what he recommended, and he said it was up to me.

If I had known I would have to wait 10-11 months, rather than six, I would have probably just elected to have the treatment, but I made that decision to wait and see with the promise that I'd be seen again by May. It's not a question of walking into the clinic to have it done, I now, because they are running behind, have to wait I get to the top of the list.

Indeed, there is some risk with the LLETZ procedure. I was also told to decide whether or not I wanted it done. If the abnormalities are severe, you do what you need to do, but if not, you have to decide if it's worth the risk of damaging your cervix when the cells may return to normal. It isn't irresponsible or 'putting it off' to decide to wait if you're under 25 and the abnormalities are mild. Putting it off would be just not bothering to go to appointments or ignoring the letters. It would have been the easier option for me to just get the treatment, but at the time I felt it would just be a bit premature. I was assured that it was by no means essential to remove the cells at the time, so I'm just hoping that the doctor was right, and that they'll either have cleared up on their own, or I'll be able to get the treatment next time. It's always in the back of my mind and probably will be whether I have treatment or not

Macha

Unregistered wrote: »

But there IS a reason to put off having it done if the abnormalities are fairly mild and you're still young.

It's not like you're 18: you're 24. Plus the risk of complications are miniscule, particularly when compared to the potential consequences of delaying the procedure.

taconnol

taconnol wrote: »

It's not like you're 18: you're 24. Plus the risk of complications are miniscule, particularly when compared to the potential consequences of delaying the procedure.

It's not like OP doesn't want the treatment. It's that the appointment has been delayed and it's out of her control. It's difficult when you make a decision. with the full support of the doctor, thinking 'sure I'll be back within six months' and it turns into almost a year. That wasn't what she agreed to. I'm in pretty much the same situation and can only hope that if my case were urgent, I'd have been seen by now!

Macha

[quote=[Deleted User];61113391]It's not like OP doesn't want the treatment. It's that the appointment has been delayed and it's out of her control. It's difficult when you make a decision. with the full support of the doctor, thinking 'sure I'll be back within six months' and it turns into almost a year. That wasn't what she agreed to. I'm in pretty much the same situation and can only hope that if my case were urgent, I'd have been seen by now![/QUOTE]
OK from what I can read, the OP declined the treatment, changed her mind and is now facing delays in...ah, I thought she was facing delays in getting a smear. Sorry OP, I missed that you had decided to get the treatment done now.

I suppose the most reassuring thing I can say to both of you, is what my doctor used to say to me: This is all prevention and it's all being done to be on the safe side. And I know this is evil schadenfreude but think about what it would be like if you lived in a poor country with zero facilities - you wouldn't be getting anywhere near the same level of treatment as you are now - hope that helps a bit!

Oh and also that thousands of people get abnormal smears, colposcopies and LLETZ treatment - they just don't tend to publicise it because of the nature of the issue. It's a lot more common than you think.