Smear test results - changes in cells - and I am terrified

[Autumnsun1]

Good morning everyone. I have just had the results back from my smear test and HPV has been detected as well as borderline changes from my last smear test. This is my 3rd smear test and I am in my early 30s.

I have to go for a colposcopy for further investigation.

I am trying not to worry myself too much, but it’s hard not to think of the worst case scenario.

If anyone has been through the same thing then I’d be grateful to hear your experiences.

Nothing to be scared of. If there is an issue, they will treat it and that's the end of it. I had something similar 20+ years ago and it really wasn't a big deal.

I had the same and colposcopy came back clear. I know it's hard but really do try not to worry!

Yes and it’s good that I am being investigated further etc. I just have a real tendency for my thoughts to really spiral!

Is a colposcopy painful?

If you've given birth vaginally it's a bit sore but not too bad. I did feel a bit wiped for the rest of the day though- get a lift home and a rest!

It was really uncomfortable for me but not painful. Like a really long smear test. The biopsies I could feel but was actually fine.
The staff were lovely, it was unpleasant but not terrible.

Mine was CIN1 and HPV cleared at my next smear.

It will be fine, honestly. They are expecting you to be worried and they will be kind.

Edited to add - There were quite a few people in the room which surprised me a bit. I think it was 3 at the business end and a nurse that was at my side and she held my hand and talked me through it and made general chitchat. The doctor that did the procedure was also very nice and told me what she could see and what she thought.

I had that a few years ago, mine were CIN1 too. I've been clear since x

I had changed cells in my 30s. They did extra tests, and then I had to have annual smears for a few years (rather than 3 yearly,) but that was all. It's common - many women go through this. Even if you need more treatment, better to deal with it now, than a few years down the line.

I know telling you not to worry won't stop you worrying, but... take some deep breaths and try and think about something else until you need something else for this.

I've had CIN1 too. It was 18 years ago and fine ever since. It is massively common once you start talking about it. And why it is important to go for smears. It means it is caught early and dealt with quickly.

That’s good to hear the staff were lovely. The second smear I had was really quite uncomfortable and the nurse couldn’t find my cervix for ages. She also wasn’t that nice. So I was a little bit worried about my most recent one. It was much easier this time and the nurse was so nice. She also said she tries to ring patients if their results come back abnormal so I am wondering if she might give me a call to chat through things.

Yes I agree smear tests are so incredibly important. It’s weird but I just had a feeling that this smear test was going to require further investigation.

If you went for a colposcopy how long did you have to wait for the appointment?

I had this 16 years ago - widespread, severe CIN 3. I was terrified, but as soon as I arrived at the colpopscopy unit, the wonderful nurse said 'Right - you're in the system now, and whatever we find, we can sort it'. Despite being the most severe grade of precancerous cell changes, the doctor who did my colposcopy said that it would still have taken ten years to turn into actual cancer, if it did at all. I had a loop excision a couple of weeks later, and have had clear smears and negative HPV tests ever since. The colposcopy wasn't significantly more painful than a smear, although it took a bit longer, and the loop excision was much the same except for a brief sting when they put in the local anaesthetic. I was a bit wobbly afterwards and bled slightly for a few days, but nothing major.

Holding your hand - I know it's scary, but this is what the screening is for and they will sort you out.

I’ve had some really difficult smears but the Colposcopy was much easier in that respect, just longer.
I can’t comment on whether it is the same everywhere but it was on this special bed with stirrups, it was really comfy and also in a very different position to when you have a smear! In think this makes it much easier for them, I was much higher up - the feet together open at knees thing on a smear doesn’t really work for me but the colposcopy was full legs spread and up in the air which was more exposing but better access IYSWIM.

I had my smear back in August, funnily enough the 'best' one in terms of comfort I've ever had and got the same result as you in September.
When I first saw the result, like you, I panicked but honestly from reading on here and various medical/womens health research and seeing how many other people have had positive tests I'm ok about it now.
Lack of information is probably the scariest part but there is so much out there in terms of what to expect, personal experience etc that you should find something to reassure ypu.

@spiderlight thank you so much. And I am sorry you had to go through what happened to you, but so glad you got it all sorted. I definitely panicked this morning seeing “abnormal test result”, but as you say, after doing a bit of research this morning the chances of them finding cervical cancer are really slim. How frequently did you have to go for smear tests after the procedure?

@Idontlikeyou ah yes, it sounds like what they do when you go for an STI examination. As you said, they are much comfier beds as opposed to lying down flat!

@katscamel I hope you are doing okay, I so agree with you about the lack of information and awareness. As other people have said, having an abnormal result is actually really common. When is your colposcopy?

@Autumnsun1 - I had a couple of six-monthly smears, then yearly for (I think) either three or five years, and now I'm back on the normal three-yearly schedule. I had the loop excision a couple of days before my son's first birthday and he's 17 now, so it's all a bit hazy. I do remember watching it all on a big screen, though - it was fascinating and distracted me from the procedure itself. (I have since watched three of my own colonoscopies, so I'm an expert on what my insides look like!). Keep us posted on how you get on.

Hi. Try not to worry yourself too much. I had the same thing last year, referred to colposcopy after a smear. The colposcopy itself didn't hurt but it was uncomfortable. The solution they put on your cervix to highlight any cells can be a bit stingy but it wasn't all that bad. The nurses are absolutely wonderful. I had 2 nurses in with me while the Dr did the procedure. They held my hands and kept me talking to distract me.

I had my appointment date within 2 weeks after my smear results but they found high grade cells on me so I think I was fast tracked. You shouldn't be waiting more than 6 weeks. The waiting is the worst bit, honest.

If they find anything, they will invite you back to remove it. It is scary but at least you are on their radar. Talk to your friends and family about how you are feeling. It can be a really emotional time and it's perfectly normal to be feeling the way you are.

@Disneydatknee88 thank you so much for sharing your experience and your advice. I am glad you had a pleasant experience with the nurses and doctor - it makes such a difference. Did they find high grade cells from your smear test, or when they did the colposcopy? I am assuming the smear test if you had an appointment within 2 weeks. Are you all fine now?

They found high grade cells from my smear. It was my first one because im an idiot and kept putting it off! They took a biopsy at my initial colposcopy appointment as it was high grade. That wasn't painful either. Just weird. I then waited 4 weeks for my results which confirmed the CIN3 (high grade, meaning it covered most of my cervix). I came back for cold coagulation treatment under local anesthetic. That unfortunately didn't get it all (which is rare!) so I came back in a few weeks go for a LLETZ procedure. I will be invited back again in 6 months for a "test of cure" to make sure its all gone, then discharged back to my GP for the usual smears every 3 years.

It has been a long process, with a lot of follow up appointments but I am a bad example because it's usually nothing. They have to be extra careful and refer you for any cell changes. A smear can only show the cells, not where they are or how many are present. That's why they want to take a look. I'm sure yours will come back clear. And if they don't, they can treat it before it turns into anything nasty. I've been in so many times now it doesn't phase me. First time is nerve wracking though.

I went through this went I went for my first smear - I had high grade cell and changes and HPV positive so had to have a colposcopy and a biopsy - they weren’t sure on the results so had 4 in total each of them 6 months apart! The doctor and nurses at each one were lovely but I also took my partner each time for mortal support and I’m glad I did! They finally decided to remove the cells and again I was worried for nothing but until you go through it you can’t help but worry!

I had a lltez around 16 months again and a test of cure after 6 months which came back clear x

I had CIN2 I think (was a long time ago, so can’t remember exact details). Had a loop diathermy to remove the problematic cells and had yearly smears for a few years afterwards, which was reassuring.

Then went back onto 3 yearly. Now I’m 50 (25 years later) and have a 5 yearly smear. No changes or problems since the initial one first time round, so hopefully yours will be the same. I know it’s easy to say but try not to worry.

@Autumnsun1 , not till January as am not back in the UK until Christmas. They had appointments originally scheduled for early Oct, then rescheduled for 2 weeks later..... interestingly enough when you reschedule on NHS app citing 'holiday', they automatically assume a holiday = 2 weeks. Seems a bit daft you can't put in the dates you're available.
Hoping it won't require any other treatment as away again in Feb.

Today is the day. I have my colposcopy later. Haven’t been too worried about it but woken up this morning feeling pretty anxious about it all. I am worried it’s going to hurt but I’ll just have to get through it.

I hope it goes OK. They'll look after you - I've had umpteen colposcopies and the staff have been absolutely lovely and very gentle and respectful.

I actually found the colposcopy less painful than a smear. Very strange seeing your cervix on the screen though! I had the same as you borderline changes. They did a biopsy came back clear had one follow up appointment and that's it all fine at the moment. Try not to worry