AIBU to feel scared

[polkapretty]

Hi
Im 23 and for the past few months iv been having bleeding after sex. I didn't worry about it to much at first but it gradually got worse and I went to the GP. I thought the GP would dismiss my fears but she examined me and said she wasn't happy with something at the top of my cervix and said she would refer me for a colposcopy. I had to wait 9 weeks for the appointment which I had this week. At the appointment the consultant said that I had two areas of abnormality and she took two biopsies and said that I would have to wait 2-4 weeks for the results. Obviously all this waiting is driving me mad. I cant eat or sleep and can only think about people like Jade Goody etc. I have two young children and i keep looking at them and worrying. Iv looked on a lot of forums but most people have had an abnormal smear and then been referred but obviously im to young for a smear so haven't had one. Im not a smoker, or on the pill, been with my dh since i was 16. Im so worried incase its cancer. I don't even know why i am posting this, i just need to vent.
thanks

Try not to worry, I've had areas of abnormal cells removed on two occassions, and have had clear smear tests for 9 years now.

I can only comment on my own experience, but didn't want to read and run

Abnormalities could be anything, not necessarily cancer. It's impossible not to worry, but try not to catastrophise, you're a long long way from leaving your children motherless. Be kind to yourself and assume it's nothing serious until told otherwise because in most cases that's exactly what happens.

I do sympathise, OP: had a scare myself a couple of years ago (breast, not cervix, and it was a horrid few weeks though harmless in the end.) Please do remember that Jade Goody neglected to go for smear tests and neglected to follow them up. You have taken action early.
It's completely understandable that you are frightened, but please bear in mind that most abnormalities are not life-threatening, and that even if there is something malignant, if it's caught early it's likely to be curable.
Try to take it easy and be kind to yourself. There is a lot of support to be had on MN.

Finally: if the consultant had been seriously worried you would be back in the hospital already. They do not hang about.

Thank you for your kind words. Just feel really worried. Don't think it helps my oldest child is severely disabled and i worry about her so much already and the thought of her being without me terrifies me. I am probably being overdramatic, its just the waiting. If someone turned round and told me what it was then in a way it would be easier. Its the long waiting. Its been 2 days since my appointment. I thought the doctor would say to me its nothing and i thought at this appointment it would be nothing but the consultant said no matter what it is i will need treatment regardless. Sorry and thank u for listening

You're in the system now. I had carcinoma in situ some 25 years ago now. If they find some cells they will laser them or as in my case laser and cone biopsy. They do this all the time. Thousands and thousands of women have this successful treatment every year. The best thing is that It's been picked up. You will be treated and almost certainly will be fine. Try not to worry (I know how hard that is). So many many women have been there before and been totally fine once treated!

And please don't be freaked by terminology. They are just cells that the need to remove if they don't look perfect. When you get older its astonishing how many women you meet have had some kind of cervical treatment

Try not to worry, if they were at all worried they wouldn't make you wait that long.

It does sound scary, and the waiting must be awful.

Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under the age of 25. I don't know if that's much consolation but, as the others have said, there could be other reasons for the abnormalities.

I had some bleeding due to a cervical erosion which is not serious. Remember there can be changes to the cervix which are not harmful at all and the important thing is getting it diagnosed so you know what, if any, treatment is required. I know it's hard not to think of it and google it but try to stay calm.

I have also had a cervical erosion which was causing bleeding after sex. It was lasered and I've had no more problems. I also had some abnormal cells when I was in my late teens (when we had smears routinely at a much younger age), they were watched closely for a year or two but actually sorted themselves out in the end. It is worrying, but you are in the system now and if they were very worried, they would rush you through much faster.