GP scared me (cancer)

[Eleast]

Just after some reassurance. Bit long winded so I’ll try and summarise it.
I went to the doctor in mid Oct because since my DS2 was born in July 16 my periods have been nuts. Irregular and getting longer, last one was 11 days! I’ve also had 3 or 4 occurrences of spotting. Literally a couple of spots and that’s it. Twice after sex (the day after I think) and twice just random. At the time I assumed ovulation but my periods that out of whack I’ve no idea.
So the dr thought it was pcos and ordered tests. Saw her this morning. Bloods all normal and fine, ovary scan all fine no cysts at all and she did some cervical swabs for infections which were clear too. So there I am thinking of I can stop worrying.
Then she blurts out that she wants me to have an urgent referral to a gynaecologist for a smear and examination to check for cervical cancer and hopefully rule it out.
Now I’m a worrier so actually hearing a dr mention the c word I immediately freaked out on my head. And to top it off she said because it’s not persistent spotting I’m no eligible for urgent referral and might need to wait 4 weeks! And tells me not to lose any sleep over it.
She’s a lovely dr but I’m definitely going to lose sleep. My last smear was sept 15 so not too long ago but I’ve read that doesn’t mean you are in the clear (why did i google it!?!). My mom tried to calm me down and reassure me she’s just being cautious but it was the urgent referral that scared me. Why does she think it’s urgent. I’m terrified of cancer, my eldest is 3 tomorrow, I don’t want my kids to lose me before they can even remember me. Though sometimes I wonder if that would be a blessing for them and less painful, so very morbid I know but like I say I’m a worrier.
The only other symptom I’ve had is lower back pain but it’s played up since I put my back out in January and isn’t constant. Sometimes get a heavy feeling in my pelvis too but randomly and I think it happens before my period, not something I pay much attention to.
Can anyone offer some advice or reassurance?

[Twopeapods]

I know it's hard but try to stay calm. I had the exact same thing after DD2 was born. Irregular bleeding, bleeding after sex, discharge, abdominal pain/heaviness.
I had an ultrasound which was clear, and had to have two attempts at a smear, because my cervix was bleeding first time round. It was also clear. They told me at the time that my cervix was extremely angry looking.
They have put it down to cervical erosion but I was never referred to gynae because everything came back clear.
The bleeding has since stopped and it's all fine now.
There are lots of reasons for irregular bleeding and most are nothing to worry about.
I hope, and it most likely will, come back clear like mine did.

[Eleast]

Thank you you’ve no idea how much that does reassure me. I’m going to try and not think about it. Though my husband has offered to use the savings to go private but I feel awful using the money so I might just give it a week to see if the referral comes.

[flumpybear]

Why don’t you ask for a phone call from your GP and tell her she’s terrified you and what’s the likelihood of it being something to worry about ? It could be something really silly or absolutely nothing and just stops - it wasn’t sensible for her to mention anything like cancer as there’s absolutely no reason to think that from all the other tests you’ve had - perhaps something has happened to another patient recently that’s made her worry particularly and is sending you for peace of mind - worth a chat with her to help alleviate your worry

[SelmaAndJubjub]

- it wasn’t sensible for her to mention anything like cancer as there’s absolutely no reason to think that from all the other tests you’ve had

Not true. If you are referring a patient to rule out cancer, you absolutely should explain that at the time. The letter from the hospital about the appointment will say it’s to rule out cancer. It’s incredibly cruel not to warn the patient in advance so they find out from the letter.

[Ollivander84]

This is not the same symptoms but anyway...
I had a locum GP do bloods as I kept having night sweats and other symptoms. Got a phone call saying I needed to go to haematology as an emergency due to my white cell count. Obviously cancer pops in your head straight away
Turns out I have a v v low count, and have done for years (just nobody bothered doing anything about it)
The result was I started on meds and I now don't have constant infections/colds so it was actually a great thing! Plus I get full blood tests every 12 weeks as an added bonus

[Tanfastic]

Personally if you are that worried and you have the means go private.

I suffer from health anxiety though but I have gone private in the past when I've been worried and couldn't wait and it always helps.

[Whinesalot]

She's told you it's to rule something out and not to lose sleep over it, because she thinks it's unlikely - it's urgent because on the off chance it is cancer the quicker it's diagnosed the better.

Try not to worry. The doctor is being cautious and doesn't want to ignore a slight possibility. That's all.

[KellyMarieTunstall2]

Your Dr is covering all bases and that is great so try not to worry. If your last smear was clear, then that's a good sign. Your Dr is really making sure no stone is unturned and if I were you, I would try not to worry too much. Take care