Can I ask you for help to explain this.

[BeaAndTiscuits]

Sorry if it's the wrong place but posting here for traffic.

My mum has never had a smear test until recently, She's 50. She finally went for one and got the results through the post today. She had a melanoma in her eye 10 years back which she had successful radiation treatment for and she goes for regular scans or her liver every 6-12 months and another appt I can quite remember what for, but they're always really good results.
Since this she's really really paranoid about cancer which is understandable.
Her smear results have taken almost 10 weeks to come back so she's been panicking all this time.
Today they've come and it says that HPV has been found and also they've found changes to the cells in her cervix, so now she's going crazy. Convincing herself that cancer has come back because her cousin just recently passed last week from cancer, and that's how they found her cancer came back, through smear results.

We have a holiday booked for 2 weeks time which she has been really excited for and now she's saying she can't go/won't go because she won't be able to enjoy it having a his over her head.

Can anyone explain these results? Does it always mean something bad? I'm panicking too as my mum is the only person I have but I want to try and calm her down and help her.

TIA

It’s not unusual to have changes detected. Sometimes this is a sign of “pre-cancer” but it doesn’t follow that it will develop into cancer. It’s wise though to have it investigated and treated. Your mum should try to get an appointment for this, but should also go on her holiday and (try to) relax.

I had pre-cancerous cells removed 25 years ago (and I’m still here!!!!)

No, it does not always mean something is bad. Has she been told her CIN level?

I went for regular smears and on one my results came back as HPV present and abnormal cells. I went for a colonoscopy shortly thereafter and they found CIN2/3 cells, which basically means how deeply the abnormal cells have gone into the skin covering the cervix. These cells are not cancerous but, if left, could become cancerous. I had a lletz procedure to remove the affected cells. That was 5 years ago - I go yearly for smears now for my own peace of mind and all clear.

There’s good info on this site: www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/treatment-for-abnormal-cervical-cells/what-are-abnormal-cervical-cells

Best wishes to your mother (and you), hope all is ok.

I’ve also had to his in my
20s I had to have the cells laserd off. This is exactly what smear tests are for, they are preventative , they catch changes in the cells which could ‘ possibly ‘ turn cancerous in the future . Bit like having mole removed even though it’s benign because it could ‘possibly’ cause problems in the future . Easier said than done but she has nothing to worry about . I’d they were actually cancerous they would know, but they aren’t .

Thanks for the replies! The letter didn't say anything about CIN, would it if it was bad?

I'm just worried that because she's never been for a smear that it could be bad. But because she has a liver scan regularly, would that show something if there was something? Probably not,.right? I'm just trying to find things to help her feel positive.

If it was at a serious stage, would they have sent results sooner? She's been waiting 10 weeks for the results. It makes it worse that all the helplines and doctors surgeries are closed for her to get professional advice. I know that she's going to Google everythibg and get herself into a mess.

@statetrooperstacey so you think if there was cancer present they would've contacted her to tell her? Or it would say that in the letter?

If there were cancerous cells present your mom would be put on a two week wait pathway (basically be seen & treated within two weeks), so if she’s not had an appointment that’s a good sign.
they don’t usually mess around with this sort of thing if they think there’s a chance of cancer, though I appreciate that’s not going to stop the worry when you’re the one waiting!

A bit odd that she's never had a smear test.
For smear tests now they test for hpv first. If that isn't present then they don't even look at the cells as usually for cervical cancer you have hpv and the change in the cells but not always. This is why we give hpv vaccines now.
Also just because they are looking for cancer in one place ie. the liver doesn't mean they will find indications of it anywhere else ie. the cervix.

I would add that having a two week wait appt also doesn’t means there IS cancer - just that they don’t take chances, if that makes sense

She could ring her GP to discuss the results, or have a look at this CRUK webpage which is quite helpful

www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cervical-cancer/treatment-for-abnormal-cervical-cells/what-are-abnormal-cervical-cells

@VillanellesCoat so the fact the results have taken 10 weeks to come through are a good sing then? It does say she'll get an appt through within the next 8 weeks and if she hasn't had one by then, she's to call. Is that a good sign too?

@ArnoldBee yes I know, I told her everytime she got an invitation letter to go, but she didn't want to because she was too scared or too embarrassed. There's no point in lecturing her, it's her choice at the end of the day, but I'm glad she did finally go.

These cell changes are not uncommon & even when more advanced don't mean cancer. I had it in my early 20s to a more advanced level (I forget what) had it frozen off & not had any issues in the nearly 40years since.

With a history of cancer treatment there might be another explanation though.

B12 deficiency is known to cause these cell changes too, this turned out to be what caused it for me & it's very common amongst those of us with pernicious anaemia. Cancer treatment is a risk factor for pernicious anaemia

I thought she had been missed out!
I would say that smear tests now are more important for us older folk that haven't had the hpv vaccine in case anyone else is reading.

I’ve not had a smear result that wasn’t clear, but I have been called for cancerous cells being found in a mole. In my experience, if they think there’s anything to worry about she’d be in much quicker.

Perhaps call the GP surgery, and ask for a call with the practice nurse, or whoever does smears, and ask them to explain the results.

It’s a good sign that the appointment is within eight weeks, yes. They’re always cautious and will follow up even if the chance of malignancy is very low. So basically they want to make absolutely sure they haven’t missed anything, and if treatment is required it can be done as early as possible

It doesn’t immediately mean anything bad. I had HPV and some suspicious cells probably 20 years ago now, because I’m the idiot who forgot her last Gardasil dose :( Had a colposcopy and I can’t remember exactly what the result was but I didn’t need to have the cells removed. I did have 6 monthly check ups after that and after a while they no longer found anything suspicious, nor any HPV. So it can also clear up. I’m now back on the regular schedule.

But regular tests are key!! So good that she’s started her smears.

Also agree with @Bobbyelvis4ever - call surgery to ask them to go through results

@ArnoldBee no, unfortunately it's because she didn't want to go.
Yes definitely, everyone should attend their invitation for an appt.

GP is closed until Monday, she will call up then but I was just trying to find out information to calm her now.
She is supposed to be babysitting for my to work tonight but she's in a bit of a mess and is now not answering any calls or messages. So I just wanted to try and find some info to try and calm her nerves.