Abnormal Smear 12 week wait for colposcopy

[cherrypied]

I've had two (2021 and 22) smear test come back HPV + and this year low grade dyskaryosis" .

But it's a 12 week wait for a colposcopy!

Sure this is not right? Shouldn't it be more urgent?

I'm waiting for a letter every day now and no idea how to chase a referral as GP surgery is not easy to contact when at work.

Four weeks into my nervous wait.

I know these are pretty routine but it it's still nerve wracking.

I've also had smear come back positive for HPV and abnormal cell changes to the cervix. I was graded as low risk whatever that means and told there was a 9 week pathway but I've been called in 4. My colposcopy is January 2nd. I don't really understand it all but I guess until I know what I've "got" there's nothing to know...

I know it's easier said than done but I'd try not to worry too much.

A lot of the time the cells will be monitored with yearly smears and colposcopies. They might cauterise the area which usually gets rid of the abnormal cells (in most cases I'm told) but didn't work for me. I'm now looking at having them cut out. The consultant told me the surface area wasn't quite as big as 1/5 of his finger nail so it is caught early on and takes a long time to spread.

This is why smears are really important though.

Not at all silly it's a highly anxious event getting this letter.

But I think it's just the NHS is particularly shit in my rural/ industrial region

On my letter it said low grad dyskaryosis which is the lowest least dangerous type of changes. So subside that the wait is longer too?

If it was urgent, you'd get it faster. You should take it as a positive.

@Anyfeckinusername how did you get on today? 🤞

Thank you for asking! I got on amazing, if that's possible 😂 I was examined and they offered to let me see everything on a big screen, so I did in an effort to be brave. I was very nervous. Showed me my cervix & where they look for cell changes, explained the expected colour:texture. It all looked ok. Then she put a gel / spray on and said it would change to white and highlight abnormal cells. There were none. She said most women with my grade pass it naturally and that mine had already cleared. She then took a biopsy for "my peace of mind" and that was it.

Bit sore now from the biopsy but so very relieved. She was so kind, I am so relieved. I had burst into tears just before I got on the chair thing.

@Anyfeckinusername That's amazing, congratulations on the good news!! must feel like a weight off your shoulders. Really helpful to hear your positive experience, I've got mine in 3 weeks time so hoping it'll be a similar story 🤞😁

Just a wee update - colscopy went well (although was utterly terrified the whole time) nurses were lovely. Small areas of CIN1 and didn't need a biopsy to confirm it as she saw what she needed, returning for another screening in a year. Positive thoughts with anyone else going through it 💓

@J3llycat that's brilliant news Kelly at, you can breathe now! Totally get that being terrified bit too!!

I'm really worried now reading your stories of being told things were ok on the day of the appointment.

I was told on the day my smear had shown the highest grade abnormality and instead of a biopsy they did a treatment to remove the abnormal cells.

I had my colposcopy less than 2 weeks from the results letter, in fact I had an appointment before I got the results.

They said I would get the results back in 8 weeks at the end of November so hopefully only a couple of more weeks to wait.

@Gingerkittykat it's such a worrying, anxiety filled time isn't it. That's really great they got you in quickly and you had treatment on the day, it's really effective from what I've read and you will be just fine! You should get your results really soon, as it was end of November maybe you could ring your GP to see if anything has come through? My original screening was low grade dyskaryosis which was confirmed at the colscopy, so just a recommended wait and see for me. If it progresses in a year I will also be getting treatment. Sending positive thoughts 💖

I got my results and have CIN 3, which means abnormal cells in the full thickness of the cervix surface but it is not cancer. It said the cells reached the edges of the biopsy so need to go and have another colposcopy and treatment in early February.

Not the news you wanted I'm guessing but great it's not cancer and they're addressing it now. Hope are you feeling about it?

how

I'm feeling a bit numb and not sure how worried I should be. I'm trying to stay off google so I don't read bad news stories.

I'm also not looking forward to a second colposcopy and cell removal, especially since this time it is a male gynae.

I can imagine and I'm sure you just want it all behind you. I hope the docs and nurses are lovely to you and show a bit of kindness to help you through the procedure. Are you back waiting again for next round colposcopy? X

Hi wondering how you all are now?
I had a lletz treatment a week ago! Sounds like I was very lucky to be seen so quickly as I had smear, letter 2 weeks later saying abnormal and hospital rang 5 days later! All been so quick.

That's great @Seabreeze18 very fast!

I got my biopsy results as "normal" so hpv has cleared itself. I'm on annual smears now.

Hope everyone is doing well