I've really convinced myself I have cancer

[NeedSomeAnswersPlease]

I've been referred for a colposcopy after my smear test back at the start of the year. I bled during my smear and she found a cyst.

It's taken so long for the appointment to come around now that I've worked myself into a stew, so much so I'm having physical symptoms. The only thing keeping me sane is that it's been 7 months since my smear and if they genuinely suspected cancer they wouldn't have let me wait so long.

Just really scared and worried about the entire thing now and it feels like it's ages away

Right okay? Is it likely to be serious?

I wouldn’t worry yet, it could just be looking for pre-cancerous cells or precautionary. As you say, it’s been a long time, if they were very worried they would have put you in for the test much quicker than this.

I agree with you that if they've waited 7 months they can't be too concerned.
Where there are real concerns there are time limits for referrals. Cysts can be benign and often are.
Totally understand why you'd be worried but it doesn't sound like they're seriously concerned.

My smear came back negative, I don’t know if that means anything?

I'm just really scared now. I know if it is anything it needs to be found out, but I'm only 25. I've never had sex, I've never had any symptoms and my life could be over before it's even begin

That’s not true.

Try to stop worrying. Of course they wouldn't have left you for seven months if cancer was suspected - you would have been referred under the two week pathway. My daughter had a recall for her smear about three years ago, and was referred for a colposcopy; when her appointment came through it was for a couple of months ahead.

Yeah I think originally the appointment letter came in in May, but the appointment was for July (I had an exam on that date), so I called them and they pushed it back another month. Trying to reassure myself they wouldn't let it go this long but also it's hard not to think the worst

If they were very worried about cancer, they would have put you on the 2 week wait, surely. I have had gynae issues similar in the past and its just been a benign uterine polyp. I have had similar waiting times to you. I think they prioritise due to risk level.

I had precancerous cells at 21, they were lasered off. I'm 55 now and on the fast track for gynaecological tests. Your life isn't over! Go have the tests and see what's what.

They refer people to rule out cancer - under the two week wait 95% of referrals end up being something else.

And op hasn't been referred under the two week wait.

If you have never had sex then it’s very very unlikely you have cervical cancer. HPV infection is the cause of the majority of cervical cancers and you very likely have never been exposed to that having never had sex. I have had two colposcopies, referrals each time following an abnormal smear, I didn’t have cancer each time but did have to get some cells lasered away. If there is a cyst, I suspect they believe it is benign as your wait has been so long, but they may need to remove it if they feel it’s clinically appropriate. please try not to worry before your appointment.

What an absolutely awful, untrue in these circumstances, and absolutely tone deaf thing to say.

It's just really hard not to overthink it, I forgot about the appointment earlier and signed up to do Mounjaro and now I'm like "probably shouldn't have done that". I just want to cry every time I think about going

Sorry but that’s complete bollocks! Even if referred on the 2WW cancer suspected pathway the majority of patients WONT have cancer! And this is obviously a much less urgent referral than that.
Cyats on the cervix are really common, polyps also really common and both harmless. Negative smear and very unlikely to have HPV means cervical cancer is incredibly unlikely. Try not to worry too
much.

Ignore this unhelpful post.

A colposcopy allows for a detailed examination of your cervix to find out IF there are any areas of concern.
Please contact your colposcopy department for professional advice/ information.
Wishing you all the best @NeedSomeAnswersPlease, and please don’t panic.

I'm also disproportionately worried they'll ask me for a blood test or wee test as I've never had anything like that!! I only had my blood pressure taken for the first time last year! Never had any sort of test before and now this

But blood and urine tests are just routine - why are you worrying about such basic tests?

I've never had one before, ever. The most contact I've had with the medical system is three physio sessions, I've never had a medical issue before and this came totally out of the blue

You’ve also had a smear though. That’s far worse than a wee test!

Tip for blood test would be to ask to lie down, and look away. It doesn’t hurt much but for me it’s just the thought of it that makes me feel faint!

Wishing you all the best.

Well you've had a smear test, which is far more invasive and uncomfortable than a blood or urine test, so I'm sure it won't be a problem for you.

Whatttttt.. they would have got her in hell of a lot sooner if they thought cancer, which is what her smear was for

Ignore this op

Knowing my luck I'll wee all over my shoes when I have to go back to work after 😅

I'm just anxious about it all but I'm hoping that the fact my GP hasn't contacted me since is good news. It just feels horrendous

Why are you being so vile @StressedAndDepressed1 ?