Suspected cervical cancer scare, awaiting test results. Scared.

[Unravellingfronds]

Hi, looking for a hand hold i suppose..

I have had irregular bleeding, missed periods, abdominal pain for a few months and general sicky feeling, exhaustion, bloating (negative preg tests). Managed to see doctor today with suspected ovarian cysts. Upon an internal examination though, she found that my cervix looks abnormal and has given me an urgent referral to get it looked at further. I have accessed the referral letter shes sent to the hospital and her description says

"speculum showed area of irregular erythema with overlying/arborising vessles, small contact bleed when swabbed. thick yellow discharge- swabbed. Bimanual NAD. I would be very grateful for your further review as I am concerned about the appearance of her cervix"

Has anyone experienced this before? Does anyone know what the more medical terms in this mean? I feel like she downplayed this to me in person but all of my online medical records have updated saying things like 'suspected gynaecological cancer, urgent fast track refferal' ect. Is there anything else these symptoms can be? (i have a clean slate STI test wise). Im really scared.

Thanks in advance anyone

This post surely needs some answers.
Some of you must have a little information to offer.

OP.

I'm posting to appeal for anyone who can advise you.

Bumping for you OP. Hand hold from me in the meantime

Hi OP,

I'm not a medical person and don't really understand some of the terminology you've shared here, but I did have cervical cancer several years ago, so I've just come for some support.

Of course, these symptoms could be something else, but if the cervix looks irregular then it's best it's checked out. I think you may be referred for a colposcopy in the first instance.

Have you had a cervical screening (smear) or HPV test in the past 3-5 years? No judgement if you haven't, just thinking that cervical cancer is usually slow-growing so if you had the all-clear in the past five years, any potential cancer is unlikely to have developed too severely in that time.

I'm really just here for the hand-hold and to answer any questions. I was Stage 1B and had an abdominal hysterectomy, followed by chemoradiotherapy... and I'm still here living my life. Cervical cancer has extremely high survival rates, so please try not to worry too much (easier said than done, I know).

Take care x

Hello, I can't advise on the cervical part, but I have had a couple of 'urgent fast track' referrals, which freaked me out when they mentioned cancer. This is just because they want it looked into asap, not necessarily because they absolutely believe it to be cancer. My last referral for a breast lump was fast tracked and said suspected breast cancer (or something along those lines) in the referral, but it was fine. Same when I had a mole checked, that too was fast tracked, and was also ok. Hope this helps a little xx

As you can see if, this looks terrifying, but it was just a cyst.

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am relived to hear you have recovered.

May I ask what your symptoms were? I am 24 so not even been invited for a smear test before (this whole situation is making me wonder why the hell the age of screening isnt younger).

I am still waiting to find out the date of my colposcopy and ultrasounds, i have seen they've also referred me to a radiology appointment too, Im just so scared right now. The lack of contact sucks, its been nearly a week. I have had my first period in 2 months over the last few days and its hands down the most agonising period i have ever experienced. So heavy, awful backache and nausea. I just hope i have some answers soon this is bloody rubbish x

Thanks this is useful to hear, its definitely alarming seeing this come up on your records isnt it! I wasnt made aware in my appointment that this is suspected cancer so its rather alarming to read all the referral notes shes sent off discussing the appearance of my cervix and how concerned she is. Fingers crossed its nothing serious and i can stamp out this fear soon x

I have had a referral like this. Try not to panic, I was warned by my GP that they have to say they think it's cancer and overstress it a bit in order to get the referral.

@Unravellingfronds

Sorry to hear that you're suffering so badly. Your symptoms are nothing like what I was experiencing on the lead-up to my CC diagnosis... but they maybe sound a bit more related to PCOS or endometriosis.

My symptoms were a smelly, persistent discharge (lovely!) and bleeding after intercourse.

I know the waiting around is agonising when you just want to know what's going on, but I'm glad you're on the pathway and, as another person said here, they sometimes have to put "suspected cancer" to ensure you're seen promptly.

Hope you get some answers soon. X