Abnormal smear result- very scared.

[wewereherefirst]

I had a letter telling me that I have an abnormal smear- severe dyskaryosis (sp?). It's really frightened me as some of my close family members have had cancer and quite young.

I'm in my 20's and have two young children and while I'm waiting on the appointment for the coloscopy clinic I worry about the future, what if there is a cancer?

I know I shouldn't worry until I have more reliable results but my mind is in overdrive.

My husband doesn't know what to do or say and I don't have anyone IRL to talk to, so I needed to release it somehow.

Thank you if you read this far.

[gillian88]

Hi, I had my first smear on Friday past and this is what I'm terrified of

[CoteDAzur]

When was your last smear test?

[CoteDAzur]

Not this one, I mean the one before.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

I've had an abnormal smear result - had 3 colposocopies, i think, and finally got told 'it' had all gone away. At the first appt, I was really nervous, and blurted out 'what are the chances that, even if I attend everything, and have a scrape or whatever, and everything is done, I'll still get cancer and I'll still die?' (this was very recently after J Goody's death).

The doctor was incredibly reassuring, essentially the answer was 'incredibly unlikely', and after that I stopped worrying until it sorted itself out, which it did.

Good luck OP x

[littlemissnormal]

Hiya, I've just had my results letter too and it's normal this time. I have to have them annually as I had CIN3 cells 3 years ago and had to have treatment to have them removed so I open every results letter nervously now.

I felt exactly the same as you when I received my abnormal results and so I phoned my GPs clinic who made me an appointment with the practice nurse. She was great and talked me through everything. Is this something you could do?

[Delatron]

Hey, I had this in my 20's. It was CIN III. What reassured me was that the doctors said that these were abnormal cells which MAY turn cancerous in 10 years or so if they weren't removed. Cervical cancer tends to be slow growing and smear tests are there to detect changes way before the cells turn cancerous.

I have had clear tests since the procedure to have these removed.

I know it's hard not to worry but these types of abnormal cells are relatively common and treatment to remove them is effective.

You could always go back and have a chat with your doctor for further reassurance and hopefully your appointment will come through quickly.

[sayanything]

I was right where you are now about six years ago. It scared the crap out of me, I was in tears and all these horrible scenarios were going through my head, I completely sympathise.

Have you been getting regular smears? If yes, it's likely that they caught the abnormality very early. After the colposcopy which confirmed the abnormality, I had to have a cone biopsy to remove the affected cells (I had severe dyskaryosis too). I've been having normal smears ever since.

It's a frightening situation to be in, but the dyskaryosis itself does not mean cancer. Please try to relax, impossible as it may seem, and wait for the tests. We're here if you need to talk and feel free to PM me.

[wewereherefirst]

Gillian it's better if there is something for it to be found now, but I'm sure it will be fine

This is my first smear test as I've just fallen into the testing bracket.

OriginalNit and LittleMiss thank you, I'm glad you have the all clear now and you have given me hope.

[wewereherefirst]

Xposts- delatron I'll see if I can speak to my doctor while I wait as hospital appointments here take a long time to come through. Thank you.

sayanything thank you, this is my first smear. The wording on the letter is scary, today I reread it and I'm a wreck, even though the chances are small.

[gillian88]

I've got two young children (2+5m) and had never had a smear test as doc had always said you need then once you turn 25, however when I was in hospital having my last baby the midwife asked me were my smears up to date and when I said I hadn't had one she was very rude saying that i was being very foolish by not having one and could be risking my life then when I said that the doctor said I don't need one til I'm 25 she told me not to be so ridiculous that you need them as soon as your sexually active, so think that's whats freaking me out! I made the appointment as soon as I came out of hospital

How long did it take your letter to come in after the test? X

[BelaLug0si]

Hi
Can I suggest you have a look here it is the colposcopy society website. I've linked to the women's questions answered section. It has loads of information on what the results mean and what the investigations are like.
Another place to get support is Jo's Trust, which is for women who have cancer and pre-cancerous changes - there's loads of info and a support forum there.

[BelaLug0si]

Gillian - the midwife is a bit out of date unfortunately and your surgery shouldn't do a smear unless you're at least 24. Those are the national screening guidelines.

[wewereherefirst]

Gillian Mine took 8 days, but can be up to 14 days. They may not send out a letter for a normal result.

Bela Thank you for those links, I will have a good look once the DC's are in bed.

[digerd]

I had 2 ops in 2 weeks 30 years ago, and it has never returned.

[digerd]

Mine was called Displasia grade 4 in those days

[BelaLug0si]

Grade 4 dysplasia or dyskaryosis is the same as severe dyskaryosis.
Dysplasia is a term meaning abnormal growth and is used when describing changes in tissue (histology). Dyskaryosis is a term used to describe the changes seen in cells and means abnormal nucleus (the controlling part of the cell).