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Original poster

Worried I have cervical cancer

32 replies

Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 12:28

I am 28, 2 kids and last smear was 2.5 years ago. All clear.

2 years ago I had the copper coil inserted and experienced heavy periods and spotting between periods. This continued for 2 years.

Something made me a little concerned over the weekend and I decided to go and see the Gp. She said she would take a smear test. Upon checking she took a swab and said actually there was no point in taking a smear test and she wanted to do an urgent referral to a gynaecologist.

I asked why and she said she could see something and it was bleeding and she wants an expert opinion.

I’m shaking, crying and need some reassurance.

OP posts:
isitsummeryet1 · 29/07/2019 12:30

Could it be a polyp? My nurse found one on my latest smear and said the same, there was no point taking it. She did explain what she could see though. Could you not ring the practice and ask for her to call you? Big hugs x

Klobluchar · 29/07/2019 12:32

I’m sorry you’re going through this Flowers

I know you’re thinking the worst, it’s only natural under the circumstances, but it could be a cervical polyp or erosion or something else. You’ve done absolutely the right thing going to the GP and you’re on the road to getting this sorted.

Original poster
Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 12:34

She wasn’t that clear. Just said she sees something bleeding on my cervix and she wants an experts opinion. I just got bad vibes as she was so vague. I’m not sure what her swan is testing for? She said infection?

She didn’t speak English too well so I’m not sure phoning will help. I want my coil out and hopefully my bleeding will stop and put my mind at ease. I asked her to remove it and she said she wouldn’t be comfortable doing so.

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Theimpossiblegirl · 29/07/2019 12:37

I've had polyps and they can really bleed if knocked (through a smear or sex for example) so please don't panic. They have to be so non committal in case of misdiagnosis but it could easily be nothing to worry about.

Klobluchar · 29/07/2019 12:41

What was it after two years of irregular bleeding that made you concerned over the weekend, OP?

FrappeLatte · 29/07/2019 12:51

I’m sorry that you’re facing this anxious time. Has the GP given any indication of how long the referral will take? Try not to think the worst... and don’t google!

Original poster
Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 12:57

It was something I was reading about cervical cancer and I thought “hmm I better just check on this”.

Honestly it started after my copper coil was inserted. If you google copper coil symptoms it says heavy periods and spotting so I thought nothing of it. Just slightly annoying.

My periods are up to 14 days and for 2-4 days unbelievably heavy. I wear the highest absorption tampon plus a pad and if I don’t change them every 2 hours then i soak through my trousers. So it was easy to link the spotting to the coil I guess.

I’ve got an appointment to remove the coil tonight so hopefully they can remove it and the bleeding stops.

Thinking I’ve had two smear tests one was 2.5 years ago and both have been fine. Thinking this is a positive sign.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 12:58

She didn’t say how long the referral would take. She said usually 3 months but as mine is urgent it should be sooner. How do I look after 2 kids whilst waiting Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 13:00

I am 5 days until my period is due. Usually I will spot up until it’s due so maybe that’s what she could see. I’m freaking out as I have 2 small children and just want to be here and healthy for them.

OP posts:
Klobluchar · 29/07/2019 13:08

Perhaps when you get your coil removed you could ask questions?

captainprincess · 29/07/2019 13:15

Maybe get a second opinion from another GP? I hope everything is ok.

FrappeLatte · 29/07/2019 13:17

Yes ask questions this evening, whoever is removing the coil will have a good look and might be able to give you more information.

It’s probably just a cervical erosion, very common and completely harmless but they can look like early stages of cervical cancer.

Original poster
Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 13:21

When I was pregnant 3 years ago I had a small bleed and was diagnosed with cervical erosion and told not to worry.

OP posts:
wishingyouluck · 29/07/2019 13:32

Yes ask questions when the coil is removed. However, I recently had a health scare where I had basically convinced myself that I was very ill and I think you are feeling how I did.
I basically gave myself a really bad anxiety attack and it ended up being absolutely nothing. I was a wreck for about a week, and still anxious for a few weeks until test results came back - as nothing! I know it's hard but try not to panic x

Original poster
Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 13:35

Thanks I am an absolute worrier. Had myself in states before all for nothing. So I’ve had a cry, I’ve panicked and felt terrified but despite this I’m calmer than I would have been say 3 years ago when I probably would have been bedridden with anxiety.

OP posts:
EllenRipley · 29/07/2019 13:47

Please try not to panic! Your GP is being diligent and isn't in a position to make a diagnosis. The protocols for unexplained bleeding, at least in my NHS region, are generally good i.e you can get fast tracked to gynae a lot quicker than for other types of referral. Cervical erosions, polyps, even infections, can cause bleeding and change the appearance of cervix. Your coil could be causing problems or a hormone imbalance. And you're up to date with your smear, so that's good. I don't have a medical background but I've had my fair share of gynae referrals and investigations! If you're finding the wait is causing you anxiety, I would speak to your GP again or see a different one.

Klobluchar · 29/07/2019 13:51

Nothing wrong with a good cry. Hopefully things will be clearer later xx

Foo2 · 29/07/2019 13:58

No point in saying try not to worry...just try not to let it take over. Positive thoughts, there are loads of things it could be.

Handhold Flowers

mindutopia · 29/07/2019 14:02

I would try not to worry too much. It is possible to see all sorts of things with the naked eye on the cervix and it's impossible to really know what they are without biopsying them. I have cervical ectropion and it can look worrying to the naked eye. It's not, just cell growth that makes things look different, but it's in no way related to cervical cancer (I have had two biopsies that were related to potential cervical cancer, though all clear).

Your bleeding and horrible periods don't necessarily sound alarming given that you have the coil. I have the copper coil and the bleeding is horrific. I've been considering getting mine removed about every month since I got it inserted (over a year ago). It's entirely possible that the irritation of your cervix could be exacerbated by the coil (say you have a cervical polyp and the string from the coil is irritating it), but the cause is still generally innocuous.

It's good she's referring you though and it doesn't have to be because something is horribly wrong. I had a period that lasted 6 weeks a few years ago. I just kept bleeding and bleeding for 6 weeks. This was unrelated to the coil (I was on the pill at the time, which I'd been on about 18 years with no problems). I also got an urgent gyn referral. It was nothing. Just one of those weird things, in the end, possibly just my body reacting oddly to my birth control. It's good to get it checked out, but sometimes these things can just be weird coincidences. I suspect you may notice a lot settles down once the coil is out.

Ribeebie · 29/07/2019 14:07

Hi OP I'm sorry you're going through this. Just to try and reassure you a little - cervical cancer in your ages is very rare and even more so if your up to date with normal smears.

As I read your original post I thought - you could have an ectropion (we used to call them erosions) and then further down you mentioned that you've been diagnosed in the past with it.

Sometimes it's good to get these checked at gynae/colposcopy as they have much better equipment/lighting etc than at the GP to be certain that's what it is - and they can treat it there and then as it's bothering you.
So please try not to worry and hopefully it'll just be your known ectropion (this can cause all sorts of irregular bleeding) and they'll sort it out for you.

Whilst it's important to make sure it's not anything sinister like cancer that's actually a really rare diagnosis for someone in your situation.

If your GP is able to refer you under 2ww/urgent pathways they will to help get it all sorted quickly for you so that's probably why they have done that. Thanks

wishingyouluck · 29/07/2019 14:08

@Sandhead1 I'm glad your anxiety has improved. Health anxiety when you have young children is the worst because you just worry so much about not being there don't you. Just remember the other times when everything turned out ok, talk (and cry) about it to whoever you need to. Hope all is ok Smile

Original poster
Sandhead1 · 29/07/2019 19:05

I’m at the clinic to get the coil removed and they can’t find the strings. Waiting on a doctor Sad. She said my cervix looks ok...

OP posts:
FrappeLatte · 29/07/2019 22:26

Did they manage to fish it out, OP?

EllenRipley · 29/07/2019 22:27

Let us know how you get on @Sandhead1, hope you got on ok.

Original poster
Sandhead1 · 30/07/2019 08:00

Finally got it out after lots of searching. Couldn’t be happier that it’s out. Will see how the spotting is over the next week and hopefully that will reassure me that it was the coil and not cancer.

OP posts:
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