Post-Meno Bleeding - Gynae Appointment for Suspected Cancer Tomorrow

[AugustInParis]

A few weeks ago my GP referred me to the hospital on a 2ww for suspected endometrial cancer due to post-menopausal bleeding and atrophic changes to the cervix (I think that's what she called it). The bleeding stopped after 3 or 4 days but I still keep getting random bouts of period pain, so there's definitely something weird going on that needs investigating.

My appointment is tomorrow morning and I'm terrified about what investigations they might do, as the leaflet says they may do an endometrial biopsy and I had one a decade ago that was really painful. I'm also scared of the potential result and keep thinking the worst. The whole thing has been on the back of my mind constantly since my referral.

If anyone has any wise words or is around for a bit of hand holding, I'd be really grateful.

I've sort of been there recently. If they want to do a biopsy make sure you at least get a local anaesthetic in your cervix and maybe gas and air. Have they mentioned a hysteroscopy or are they planning to do a biopsy with a speculum in place? I've had a biopsy both ways this year and the hysteroscopy with local anaesthetic was fine. Best of luck with it!

I'm going at the end of August p. My two week pathway was more like 8. I wish you well but don't need the scary stories so I won't be looking back at this post.

Good luck. Take a painkiller half an hour before the biopsy it helps. I had post menopausal bleeding, and it was diagnosed as simple hyperplasia.

I think my only worry would be how the atrophic changes to the cervix will impact on the biopsy being carried out. I’d ask for sedation if you’re not good with pain to be honest.

Thank you. They haven't said what they're doing exactly, that's just what it said in the leaflet they sent. They didn't offer any anaesthetic when I had the endo biopsy last time and I didn't know to ask, so he just went ahead and did it. The leaflet says to take ibuprofen or paracetamol before the appointment, so I assume that's in case they do a biopsy.

Does the local anaesthetic in the cervix hurt a lot?

Here's a hand-hold ....
Have they said it might "just" be polyps?
Although I'm not sure how/if the cervix is involved if it is..

I had some very scary-seeming bleeding quite a while after MP, and the appointment with GP was quick, and referral to Consultant quite quick as well, although no mention of C at all.

It wasn't anyway, just two polyps that were benign.

I cannot speak for the possible pain that the procedures you may be having may cause, but hope that you can get some reassurance on here and anything to alleviate possible pain at the time. You are entitled to ask for it.
I had hysteroscopy under GA, and very little discomfort and downtime, so my experience is somewhat different - but I know that post-MP bleeding is taken seriously and investigated quickly, so that's a good thing at least!

I hope you will be fine, take some Rescue Remedy if you can - and you are my thoughts.

I can't have sedation as I'm driving there but I'm definitely having ibuprofen and maybe also paracetamol before I go.

Thank you. They haven't said what it might be but I can see on the NHS app that my referral is for 'suspected cancer', although they probably say that for all 2ww appointments.

As you say, at least it's taken seriously and referred quickly.

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your comments. I'll come back and update after my appointment.

Ah ok. I was referred recently as had similar. The consultant said he didn’t use a numbing spray or injection as that was shown to hurt more than the actual procedure. So I just went with it & it was ok. I did some deep breathing & tried to focus on something on the ceiling.

I don't remember the jab in the cervix being painful - bit of a sting maybe. I now remember the nurse also gave me a stress ball for each hand and the consultant was chatty and showed me on the screen what he could see which helped take my mind off it. If it's not OK you can ask them to stop and say you want them to reschedule with GA.

I've had a local into the cervix and although it wasn't great it was definitely manageable. If offered I'd probably accept that op

The jab was fine and how would a numbing spray hurt more than the procedure? Doesn't make a lot of sense what they told you I think.

do take paracetamol and ibuprofen. But also do ask for pain relief / local anaesthetic to be given, and if it’s not available or not enough, as others have said, ask them to stop and do it under GA.

honestly, the older I get the angrier I get about women being expected to put up with pain without pain relief during gynae procedures and investigations.

Also wishing you good luck with the outcome / the results of it.

Ive had the numbing spray before & it burned like hell, so I took him at his word.

Quick update: All is ok. Endometrium was thin (2mm) so not a concern, which meant I didn't need a biopsy. The scan found a cyst on my ovary, but they're not worried about it. Doc thinks the PMB was just a rogue light period, which is apparently very common in the first few years after the periods stop. I can't tell you how relieved I am.

Thanks all for your support, and wishing everyone on this section of the forum all the best.💕

That's wonderful news @AugustInParis --- so happy for you.
You can breathe easily now, and take good care of yourself after this worry.
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