Just found out my smear test came back abnormal,and am so scared!

[tetti]

I dk if this otpic belongs here at all,but as a single mum my daughter totally depends on me,and I'm really frightened...
The test came back saying I have mild dyskaryosis,and I wonder if anyone else had the same results,and what happened after,and if you're ok now?
They have called me back for another smear in 6 months,but what if it progresses from mild to severe in the meantime?
I dk if I'm paranoid,but I lost my mum to cancer a couple of years ago,and I think that intensifies any worries that I have.

[mamalovesmojitos]

oh tetti i'm sorry you got that news. i have no idea what dyskaryosis is so i have no real advice but just wanted to say that i understand your worries, especially taking into account how your mum passed away.

could you ring your doctor to ask him/her if you could go for a smear earlier? and if not can they guarantee that the problem will not have progressed in the six months?

you poor thing, someone will probably offer you better advice soon x.

[SoMuchToBits]

I had an abnormal smear about 10 years ago. Instead of calling me back in a few months, they sent me for a colposcopy (where they put a scope up to look at your cervix). It doesn't need an anaesthetic, and isn't particularly uncomfortable. The colposcopy showed that everything was normal. After that, I had to go for a smear a bit earlier than usual for the next one (which was normal), and thereafter just with the usual regularity. All my smears since then have been normal.

I think it's not as uncommon as people think to have an abnormal smear - it doesn't necessarily mean you will develop cancer. Please try not to worry (although having to wait 6 months is difficult) as your next smear will probably be normal. Hope this helps.

[bloss]

Message withdrawn

[notcitrus]

Don't worry - the whole point of smear tests is to notice abnormal cells long before they get weird enough to get ideas about becoming cancerous.

I think 'mild' dyskaryosis is stage 1 of changes that can happen, and it's only stage 4 that starts being a cause for concern, but I'm not a doc. My mum had to have a colposcopy and then have some dodgy cells burnt away, but is fine now.

Dyskaryosis just means funny-shaped chromosomes in some cells. Your GP or nurse should be able to reassure you or suggest an earlier smear - do make sure they are aware of your family history when they're advising you on when to come back.

[emmlee]

my friend also had an abnormal smear, went back to have a few cells burnt off also, and she is absolutly fine then and now, try not to worry i am sure if it was serious they would want to see you much sooner xx

[susia]

yes, I have had this twice, the first time I had a colposcopy (after 6 month wait to see if they righted themselves) then some cells were burnt off, the 2nd time about 10 years later I had a colposcopy again.

Just uncomfortable and meant I had smears every 6 months for about 3 years.

Its fine, it's very common and means that the abnormal cells WONT develop into cancer because they are being monitored and will be removed if they progress (which they usually don't).

[tetti]

Thank's everyone:-),I think I'll have a chat with my GP and see if they can refer to me for a colposcopy rather than me having to wait 6 months for the next test,otherwise I just know I won't be able to stop worrying.
I think I am more worried as my mum's testresults got mixed up,and by the time the discovered that(6 month later),it was too late for her.
I may just be very paranoid,but that just makes me alot more wary.But it's def comforting to hear about others who also got abnormal tests,but are fine now:-).Just wish I could put it all to the back of my mind!

[BellaNoir]

www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical

The website has some useful information explaining the different results.
Mild dyskaryosis will often go away by itself, the 6 month gap is to give the body a chance to sort the abnormal cells out. If the test in 6 months time was also mild then usually you'd be referred to colposcopy then.

Your GP should be able to refer your directly to colposcopy now if you'd prefer, particularly if you will worry.
The NHS CSP website also has info about colposcopy, as does the BSCCP (national society for colposcopy).

I work in a cervical screening lab BTW..

Hope this is useful, and try not to worry (easy for me to say I know)

[BellaNoir]

General screening info

Of the 3+ million women having a cervical test each year:

around 6-7% will have a test result of borderline changes or mild dyskaryosis
around 1.5% will have a test result of moderate or severe dyskaryosis (slightly more abnormal cells but NOT cancer).
Around 0.2% will have a test result that is more suspicious but NOT diagnostic of more abnormal changes and would usually be seen more quickly.

Dyskaryosis is a greek term which describes the changes seen in the nucleus of an abnormal cell.

[Remotew]

I have had the same result recently. Mild Dyskaryosis. I had a follow up appointment and they took a biopsy. Still waiting to hear if I need treatment or if they will leave it for 6 months to check again.

Please try not to worry. It is common and is 100% curable. They wouldn't be leaving it for 6 months unless it was very mild. Often changes take place and it returns to normal naturally.

17 years ago I had treatment for the same thing but it was a severe that time. Every smear has been normal since then apart from the last one.

[tetti]

Thank you so much BellaNoir and abouteve,you have both def made me alot less jittery.
I thought the result automatically meant that I'll def develop cancer(not much helped by the fact that when my girl's dad rang he twigged that I'd been crying,and when he heard what was up he said-Oh,they'll just give you some chemo or do a hysterectomy!,clearly not having a clue what the testresults meant,men!!!Nevertheless,his words didn't reassure me much,just made me even more afraid!)
So thank you all again for explaining what that result really means,and thank you BellaNoir for posting the links.Big hugs to you all for taking the time to respond to my post:-).x

[FrostyTheSnowgirl]

hi tetti, I had mild dyskarosis when I was 20 years old, I was sent for a colposcopy where they had a closer look through a microscope and everything was fine I was just called for repeat smears every 6 months until the cells were normal.

I always remember what my doctor told me, because I was as frightened as you. He said that I was in a better position because I was getting checked that often than those who only had them every 3 years xxx

[tetti]

Thank's:-).I lost it with my girl's dad today though.What does the idiot say infront of my girl?,"Come on,what are you worrying about?Even if you do have cancer,it's not like you're going to die tomorrow,is it?"(oh,thank's!)
So,I've now had to calm my 6 year old down,and reassure her that no,mummy's not going to die(!).
I def wasn't going to tell her about the test result,she's a little girl,she doesn't need to know(!).
Anyway,this result has given me a real kick up the backside,I will never touch a cigarette ever again(had a relapse a while ago,but there's no way I'll ever pick up that nasty habit again),and I will pay much more attention to my diet and my exercise regime(read on the Jo's Trust forum that sometimes this can help the cells to revert back to normal)

I am a bit worried as when I was with my ex,I sometimes did have pain during sex,which some say can be a sign of cervical cancer,but then again,that can be linked to other things.
I did find out that he'd been cheating,so am not sure if he's left me with an,ehm,unwanted parting gift,so I better get that checked out asap,especially as I dk if a possible std can affect a the outcome of a smear test result?

[misspudding]

Hi Tetti! I had abnormal cells in the cervix about 8-9 yrs ago. I went for a colposcopy ands the consultant said I had to have loop diathermy, to remove the pre-cancerous cells.. Basically, it was a painless procedure. Think I had a colp the year after and now I have yearly smears.
The chances are that it may well disappear but I think you're right in wanting a colposcopy.
Get the other STIs checks if you're worried.
Take care

[ScattyStudent]

I'm sure you will be totally fine, my best friend got a result saying 'abnormal cells' when we were about 16, our first smears, scared the shit out of us!! it was nothing of course.
I can completely understand your fear thogh, I am a single parent and the fear of leaving my DS is the one that keeps me awake at night, not just for my sake but the terror of him having to cope without me.
You have made my mind up to go for my very overdue smear though.

[tetti]

Just a little update...
Went to my gp this morning for some advice.
He reassured me that my changes were so mild that I'll be fine waiting another 6 months,but...he was concerned about the oains I experienced during sex,and the fact that my smear was very painful.After examining me(pressing on my lower abdomen which was pretty painful!),he refered me to the hospital for an ultrasound.There's a cancellation,so I'm going in tomorrow,help(!)
I'm def very,very nervous,but also relieved that it's being taken seriously.
It's really tricky though,I was diagnosed with IBS the other year,so it's pretty hard to know where the pain is coming from,but he said it seems to be the ovaries.
I'm def trying to stop myself from looking up any symptoms on the internet though,you come across so many "scare mongers"(not on this board I have to add:-),but just in general.Please keep your fingers crossed for me!xx

[ScattyStudent]

Good luck I'll be thinking of you, I'm sure you will be ok x

[ScattyStudent]

Hi tetti hope everything went ok at docs

[tetti]

Thank's ScattyStudent:-)

They found out that I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome,and god knows how longs I've had that for(!).
I was really relived that I know what is wrong with me though,and that it was nothing sinister(I don't think I've been this scared in my life,not just for me,but for the sake of my daughter more than anything,I'm all she's got)

The woman who did my ultrasound was very surprised,as I don't fit into the stereotype polystic ovary syndrome sufferer(the usual patient would be overweight,have excessive facial hair for eg,whereas I'm a size 6,and def beard free!)

But I would urge anyone with my symptoms(pain in the ovaries,especially during sex and before periods,heavy periods,moodswings(linked to the period),difficulty to concentrate to name a few,to seek advice from your gp.

I do not want to alarm anyone,but I must have had this for years,and although it cannot be cured,it can be managed through diet and exercise,and medication.
It may also affect ones fertility,so I'm so grateful that I managed to get pregnant,and am the mother of a wonderful 6 year old.

Apparently Posh and Jamie Oliver's wife also have the same condition,and they don't fit into the stereotype either,so if you have any niggling doubts do take them up with your gp.This condition is very common I was told,and many women live with it without being aware of it.