Smear test results - HELP

[princessdonna87]

Hi ladies

I am 31, had regular smears every 3 years.

Smear in 2015 was clear (this one was late as I was pregnant so couldn't have it until DD was 4 months old).

Had a smear a month ago, just had a phone call from nurse today to tell me she's referred me for a colposcopy as the smear found low-grade dyskaryosis! And also HPV!

I asked her if it was serious and if I should be worried, she just said to make sure I attend the hospital appointment and if I have any bleeding in the meantime to see my GP!!!

I am terrified!!!! I lost my husband last year so if I end up with cervical cancer, my children could be orphaned.

The nurse has just scared me more!!! Is this cancer? Could the colposcopy find high grade cells? Or cancer cells?

Firstly, I’m really sorry for your loss.

Someone who has experienced this will surely be along v soon, if not cross posting, but a month is a long time for abnormal results. In a way, take some reassurance from that. I know the threshold for referrals is quite low.

When is the colposcopy? Hopefully you will get answers swiftly. They are generally very good with this.

Obviously I can't advise, but I will say I had a similar situation and the colposcopy results came back clear. This was a few years ago so I can't remember the exact details unfortunately.

I'm sure someone will be along with more knowledge soon.

I’m so sorry for your loss and sorry that you are having this awful worry.

I can tell you my story I’m case it’s helpful.

When I was 22 and a new mum (single parent) I had an abnormal smear which showed pre cancer cells and HPV. I was referred for a colposcopy and biopsy. I had this and it was followed with freeze treatment to remove the affected area of the cervix. I then went back to normal 3 yearly smears and never had another abnormal one.

I also started paying privately when I could so I had more regular smears as I felt 3 yearly wasn’t enough after my treatment.

Anyway all has been fine and I’m now decades past this. In fact I am a bit lax now and haven’t been for my smear text for a few years due to another problem with the cervix but that’s unrelated. (It’s moved and is agonising for a nurse to find for the smears).

I wish you well. I remember the awful feelings around this and how precious you are as the only parent to your children. Please let me know how you are.

Firstly don't worry about the HPV, something like half of all adults have it and can just resolve in time. It is a risk factor though which is why they test for it and why they've started doing the vaccination.

The fact that they've found low grade cells means it is very unlikely there is cancer. They'll probably do a biopsy at the colposcopy to confirm, and if they see any pre-cancerous changes they'll give you an appointment to remove them to be on the safe side.

I had exactly the same result as you mid 2017. I had my colposcopy which showed some minor changes, but the biopsies were negative. They said to have another colposcopy/biopsy in three months as the abnormal cells can just resolve themselves. My second colposcopy was completely normal, and I was told to have a smear in year later (which I had last week, no results yet).

Sorry that this has turned into a bit of an essay - I just wanted to reassure you that it is likely nothing or if not that the treatment is relatively minor. for your colposcopy and do let us know how it goes.

In some areas, low grade dyskaryosis isn't even a reason for a referral, they usually just give you annual smears. So a) that shows you how low grade it is and b) it's good that you live in an area which will give you a colposcopy for it.

They'll do the colposcopy, which is just a more detailed smear test really (legs in stirrups, dr with magnifying glasses takes a good look up your flue, spreads dye on it and if you light up like a Christmas tree they'll take a biopsy). And take it from there.

It's honestly nothing to worry about and is so far from cancer! I had grade 3 CIN, which is still NOT cancer. I had it treated with ablation (which isn't pleasant but also isn't awful) and had 6 monthly smears then yearly then back to normal and I've had normal results since.

Try not to worry, it's precautionary.

Hi
Are you in England? As usually you'd get sent a result letter which gives you information about what the result means. It should also have information about the colposcopy unit.
Useful info here about abnormal results and colposcopy www.bsccp.org.uk/women/frequently-asked-questions/

Loads of women have low grade dyskaryosis every year, approximately 6% of all test results. Most don't need treatment, or only a biopsy to be sorted out. Only a very small % have cancer.

@mortifiedmama that is the best explanation of anything ever 😂

No experience but and a hand hold. It sounds like your doctors are switched on and being cautious which is brilliant 👍 I hope you don't have to wait too long x

The cells they have found have the potential to become cancerous in many years time, they also potentially could revert to normal.
During the colposcopy they will take a closer look and decide whether to remove the cells or just keep an eye on them to see if they resolve themselves.

I've been where you are OP. It is terrifying. I was also grieving when I found out I needed a colposcopy. This makes anxiety sky rocket and makes us think irrationality about cancer. I actually ended up going to my GP because I was overwhelmed with anxiety about my smear test results. He told me he sees far more people to treat anxiety about results than he sees people who have cervical cancer. So what you are feeling is normal, but not necessary.

The NHS website has very clear explanations of what your results mean and what treatment to expect. Don't get sucked in by Dr Google though!

Update - I got my recent smear results back and they were clear! Have to have another in a year to make sure I'm still all on track  How are you doing @princessdonna87 ?

Back after my 1st smear at 23 (it was early as having other troubles), the results came back abnormal cells and to repeat while waiting to see gynae again, so GP repeated.

Anyhow over the next 5 years, I had the cells removed three times, was having other gynae problems as well, ablation, colposcopy and my cervix is very difficult to find as severely retroverted so always fun.

I was having smears every 3 months for 2 years to check for changes, then I went to 6 months and then finally to yearly, then jumped to 3 years. I've been very careful to make sure my smear is done when its due and in Sept past, I got the all clear again for 3 years but will be seen again if I have problems and GP has done a precautionary smear before ringing gynae to get them to see me on short notice.

I used to dread it, however, this is just from me, I bought myself a medical grade speculum and took the fear out of it for myself, it was tricky manoveuring to see but took any fear out of it for me.