Abnormal smear - please help. Panicking

[Babyowl20]

I had a phone call this morning from the hospital about my smear test results. They wanted to book me an appointment for this Friday because the results have come back as moderate.

I’m scared to google incase that means I have cancer or if it’s really bad. Has anyone had this previously and it’s turned out okay? I’m completely panicking.

[Babyowl20]

Yeah on one hand I’m really, really glad I booked in as soon as my letter saying I’m due a smear came in the post. It judging on the timescale the doctor gave, I should have the treatment only around 6 weeks after the original smear test date - which I’m massively grateful for!


Thank you @MitziK - she did say not to worry because they use a different system to categorise the changes and can tell loads more from the colposcopy appointment. I asked her so many questions and she answered them all thoroughly so I feel like I won’t have too many worries and questions going around in my head in the lead up to the biopsy results/treatment.

I asked the doctor what would happen (theoretically) if I didn’t have treatment or it hadn’t been picked up - and even after seeing my cervix, she still said it would likely be another 10 or so years before the changes to cancerous happened, if they ever did change.

[TheGirlFromStoryville]

I had cin 3 about 11 years ago, had lletz treatment which cleared it. I had yearly smears for a while then went on 3 year recall.
A few years ago I tested positive for hpv but no abnormal cells, so back on yearly smears. After 3 in a row I was called for colposcopy where they took biopsies. I was convinced I had cancer but was given the all clear after about 2 weeks. I go for my next smear in the colposcopy clinic in September.

If you do need any treatment op, at least you're in the system now so will get treated quickly. Take it easy and try not to worry

[Babyowl20]

Thank you for sharing @Yellowcakestand - really glad yours have gone back to normal! I hope I can say the same in a few years time.

I didn’t realise quite how common it is to get abnormal results - my doctor said it’s really uncommon to actually get cervical cancer if we attend regular smears, just because the changes happen so slowly and the treatment is effective.

[Babyowl20]

Thank you for sharing @TheGirlFromStoryville - in the letter the doctor gave me today, it said treatment is likely to be required which I think is the lletz treatment. She mentioned they just inject a local anesthetic and remove all the abnormal cells.

Thank you for the kind words - I’m really glad and relieved to be in the system and for things to be moving pretty quickly (so far).

[amillionwishes]

OP I just had a colposcopy and biopsies this morning for the same thing, I've tested for CIN2 cells in a previous biopsy which went back to "normal" without treatment (had 6 monthly smears), then latest one showed changes again so here I am. They told me 2 weeks max wait for the results, which is reassuring.

Glad yours is over for you now, hopefully we get results soon and can get things sorted ASAP

[SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace]

Please don't panic OP! I had exactly this in 2017. My smear results came back the same as yours so I was booked in for a colposcopy. I found out I was pregnant the week of my appointment so I did have the colposcopy but no treatment. I had a further 3 colposcopy appointments whilst pregnant and then a final one about 3 months post birth where they performed the lletz treatment. I then had a smear test 6 months later which came back clear ☺️

[Babyowl20]

Oh it’s nerve wracking isn’t it @amillionwishes - I didn’t realise they did a watch and wait approach for CIN2 - I suppose it’s reassuring that even at that level, it’s seen as safe to leave for 6 months and just keep an eye.

My doctor said the same, it shouldn’t take longer than two weeks to hear back. Fingers crossed for both of us everything is resolved quickly!

[amillionwishes]

@Babyowl20 I was living in a different country at the time, so possibly a different approach to it all? I tried not to google at the time so was probably a bit ignorant to it all 🙈

Will you keep me updated as to how you get on? Hope you're not in too much discomfort x

[Roomarmoset]

Hi @babyowl20

I have just had the same thing, had the biopsy in December and got the results in January.

I had my first abnormal around 10 years ago and have had smear tests every 12 months since then. Every couple of years I have an abnormal, they do some extra tests and they have all come back fine so far. My mum had cervical cancer so I always said I would make sure I go for smear tests and I'm glad I did.

It won't be a nice wait but I'm sure it will all be fine. Although I don't like getting HPV/abnormal results at least I know they'll be checking up on me more regularly xx

[Babyowl20]

Thank you @SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace - I’m really glad to hear your smear afterwards came back clear, I can imagine what a huge relief that must have been! And great that your pregnancy wasn’t affected and the treatment was still so effective. Thank you for sharing, it’s so reassuring to hear that other people have had the same result as me and it’s all sorted and fixed.

[Franticbutterfly]

Please don’t panic! I got the same call as you a couple of months after having a smear. I had the examination, then went back to have the lletz procedure done under anesthetic. It was fine and when the surgeon spoke to me after she said it was a tiny area and that it was nowhere near as severe as they thought (not even moderate). I am now on the three year recall.

[wednesday32]

I had the same results as yourself, and when I went for my colposcopy, they could tell from the screening what was causing the abnormality. I had HPV. It cleared up on its own (as it does in most cases), but they did all the checks to be sure. I now have a check up every 6 months. Since having my first even smear, I have only ever had one come back clear. Any treatment you may need will be within 2 weeks of finding out you have cancer, and this would be classed as an early diagnosis. Please try not to panic or overthink this.x

[Babyowl20]

@amillionwishes I’ve been avoiding google too - I asked the doctor today so many questions and she was really brilliant, and said even at this stage its still years away from being cancer; which is why the smears are so effective at prevention. I keep reminding myself of this every time I feel overwhelmed/panicked!

I’m going to keep this thread updated - if I don’t see you on here around the time our results are due I will send an inbox message if that’s okay?

I’m not feeling too bad now - but I found the biopsy unpleasant - I felt really light headed and like I was about to faint! Apparently it’s really common because of the nerves in the cervix. I hope you’re feeling okay? x

[Babyowl20]

Thank you for sharing your experience @Roomarmoset. I’m really sorry to hear about your mum I’m definitely always going to keep up with smears too, especially after this experience. And it’s reassuring once you’re in the system they keep a really close eye on things isn’t it. Xx

[amillionwishes]

@Babyowl20 I'll make sure I come to post, but definitely feel free to inbox me, for anything!

I found the procedure itself ok, I knew what to expect at least. When I came out I had to sit down for a minute, I have had waves of nausea since, I think because it's not actually painful but I can feel like a dull ache? I took some painkillers when I got in the car after.

I seem to recall from last time that I didn't really have any spotting/discharge until later on that day or the next day, so even if you've not really got anything now it's worth wearing a pantyliner for the next couple of days.

Really good to hear so many positive stories from others, thank you ladies ❤️

[Babyowl20]

I’m glad yours is sorted now @Franticbutterfly - if you don’t mind me asking, did you have local or general anaesthetic? X

[Babyowl20]

I’m glad to hear yours has all cleared up now @wednesday32 - x

[Babyowl20]

I’ve felt quite nauseous too @amillionwishes - I didn’t find it particularly painful just unpleasant, they had to lower the head part of the chair when I was lying down as I really thought I might faint!

I’ve had some spotting since leaving, which they told me to expect. Im trying to keep my mind occupied which is proving quite difficult.

I was browsing the daily mail website as a distraction (bad idea) and there was an article about a 31 year old mum who had abnormal cells and then was diagnosed with cancer after her biopsy, which has set off my anxiety again - really awful for her. The article makes a huge point that she ignored her smear letters for 10 years so they didn’t catch the abnormal changes early enough, so I know we should be fine from having the smears regularly but it’s still quite terrifying isn’t it.

[Franticbutterfly]

I had general. Absolutely no dramas. Took an hour from going out of the cubicle to coming back. Didn’t even know I’d been messed about with.

[Babyowl20]

@Franticbutterfly I think I’m going to see if that’s an option for me - my stomach is turning at the thought of being awake for the procedure, although I know some people are. Thank you for sharing.

[Franticbutterfly]

You can request it I’m sure.

[amillionwishes]

@Babyowl20 I saw the same article and decided not to read it! As you said it's not like we've been ignoring smears so I don't think anything could have progressed to cancer stage  I think it's one of the slowest developing cancers, which is why smear tests are only necessary every 3 years.

I've had some not great reactions to anaesthesia in the past, I'd be more worried about that than the actual treatment! The last time I had an epidural it made me feel sick and weird, the last time I had a general when I woke up my bp dropped massively, I was freezing cold, shaking... defo worth asking for as @Franticbutterfly says if you think it'll be better for you mentally xx

[Babyowl20]

Yes the article definitely had the angle of persuading people to always go for smears - it said lots of times that if she’d gone when her smear was due, it wouldn’t have got to the cancer stage. Mirrors what my doctor said today - that if things were left without treatment it would be 10+ years before it became cancerous.

Every person I’ve spoke to now who specialises in this has said the same thing, it can be stopped before it gets worse - just not nice having any abnormal results is it and waiting for any results is always a bit scary! Did the person who did your biopsy today indicate if they expected you’d need treatment or give you much feedback @amillionwishes ? X

I’ve had general anesthesia and an epidural and had good experiences with both luckily, no side effects I noticed. I’m definitely going to enquire about it once the biopsy results are back and they (probably) call me in for the treatment - although if it delays the treatment I’ll try to have it done with local, and hopefully not freak out too much!

[InTheTempest]

Babyowl20 I'm another just wanting to offer a handhold and some reassurance- I also had abnormal results with HPV after my first smear aged 25- I had the biopsy, which confirmed CIN2 followed by LLETZ treatment- none of it was pleasant and was difficult at the time but it was ok and we have a fantastic system of screening and treatment in this country- for the vast vast majority of women who attend smears when they are called for them, they will be fine.

I got pregnant with my DC2 around six months after treatment and had a healthy pregnancy and no preterm labour, which I was slightly worried about but they can do cervical length scans and take precautions if need be.

I've been on yearly recall since then with no abnormal results, until my most recent one, which again showed HPV and borderline changes. I was worried having gone through it before but it was fine- I had a colposcopy and as everything looked completely fine they didn't even take a biopsy and I'll probably be on 3 yearly recall now.

I just wanted to say I know there are moments where it can feel really scary and stressful but try not to panic, you are in the system and it is so incredibly likely to be fine. Have 🍰☕️🍷 and try to relax. 💐

[Babyowl20]

Thank you @InTheTempest - it really is reassuring to hear experiences like yours! It really does make me appreciate the healthcare we have access to. My smear said ‘moderate’ high grade which I think correlates with cin 2, the letter the doctor who did my colposcopy gave to me today said cin Iii so I guess mine might be a bit worse than the smear picked up.. but I’m so relieved it’s treatable either way. I’m really glad yours was sorted and caused no issue with your pregnancy - thank you for sharing