Suspected Uterine Cancer - Feeling so afraid

[Walesmam23]

Hi all,

I'm really grateful for finding this board because I'm feeling really scared right now. I'm 40 and have been having really heavy periods for the last 12 months along with bleeding inbetween. Had a smear, all fine, GP said likely hormonal, then started bleeding intermittently after sex too so referred for ultrasound. This has revealed two lumps, possibly polyps, but sonographer not sure. GP called to say she was sending urgent referral to hospital for biopsy and investigation. This was a week ago and I've just had a call from the hospital saying they want me to go in tomorrow.

I'm really afraid of what is going to happen at this appointment and what I need to be prepared for. Seeing 'suspected uterine cancer' on the NHS app referral has shit me up to be honest and I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow or what comes next.

If anyone has any experience and outcomes I'd be so very grateful.

Thank you x

I'm so sorry you are going through this and I'm all honesty there in nothing anyone on Mumsnet could say to really help. You need to go to the appointment tomorrow, where you will be in the right place to get the help and advice you need and find out the extent of that ever problem you , or may not have. FWIW, over the last five years I have had multiple hospital referrals for my bladder, womb, vulva, and colon, any of which could have led me to believe I had cancer and everything Dr Google leads us to, is that. I got an urgent call from my GP after the ultrasound on my womb, as it came back with something suspicious on it, however it turned out to be a polyp. Try and get an early night and calm your mind. I take Diazepam to calm my brain when I'm a panic over the less pleasant procedures. It always helps. Good luck 🤞

I had similar last year - heavy periods, multiple fibroids plus a suspected polyp and another mass on the ultrasound.

I would guess the appointment will be a gynae doctor examination (mine was external) and explaining their view of your scan and recommended next steps.

For me, I had a hysteroscopy where the polyp was removed and a biopsy taken plus an MRI. This ruled out anything ‘suspicious’ and I was discharged from gynaecology. I’m 53 so the fibroids have been left for menopause to hopefully kick in.

There are lots of threads on here re hysteroscopys, they seem to be the next step often and options for pain relief differ - I had general anaesthetic - so may be worth reading one of those.

I took diazepam beforehand for the hysteroscopy (after reading the horror stories in Mumsnet) then had gas and air. I couldn't remember anything afterwards.

Sending you so many positive thoughts for tomorrow OP 🌷🌷🌷

I'm 52 and have had similar issues for years. First picked up in 2013 following very heavy periods. Was told there could be a chance it was uterine cancer and needed biopsies. I had multiple polyps and they've been removed several times during hysteroscopies but annoyingly always grew back so I ended up needing a uterine ablation to stop them growing back.

Good luck for tomorrow 💐

Thank you so much for all the kind replies, I really appreciate it. I’m trying really hard to remain positive and not Google etc but it’s hard. I’ll let you know how I get on x

Please do let us know how you go @Walesmam23

Just found your thread and wanted to say good luck for today.

I totally get why you feel so scared. Its natural and anyone who has been referred for further tests for suspected cancer will be able to empathise with you, me included. It is pretty shit and really scary until you know what is what.

Try and stay positive. A great majority of these referrals end up being something else.

❤

Thank you everyone I really appreciate your replies. Just back from the hospital and none the wiser really. The consultant has recommended hysteroscopy and biopsy and also the mirena coil to try and control my bleeding problems so will hear in a few days with an appointment for that, he said it should be within the next few weeks so that’s good. He didn’t seem mad concerned about things and said it’s probably nothing but given family history it’s best to get it sorted. So feeling a bit reassured at his confidence but still just want it sorting!

I had the same although i am older than you. Don’t read too much into the referral reason ‘cancer’ they put this so that you will get on the 2 week pathway. I had ultrasounds and a hysteroscopy where they found polyps which the consultant removed there and then. They were sent for testing and came back negative for any cancers.

Checking in and pleased to see your update 🙂

Glad to hear you are a little more positive after the appointment. Have a search of 'hysteroscopy' on mumsnet and at least that will prepare you for the procedure-for some it is ok and they manage without any sedation, but most seem to need something. I always err on the side of caution after being told a cervical procedure was 'uncomfortable' when I was 18. It was horrific and has caused me gynae fear ever since.

Thank you, I do feel nervy about this as I find anything ‘internal’ quite traumatic after the birth of my daughter. The consultant said ‘most people’ are fine with local anaesthetic but GA is an option and I’m wondering whether to request that but don’t want to look like a drama queen…I’m so sorry you had an awful experience, women are so often fobbed off in healthcare and it causes so much trauma. It really isn’t fair.

I've always been fine with a local anaesthetic-or gas and air as per the last hysteroscopy. I just need the diazepam just to get to the appointment in the first place-works wonders for me 😀

How’s it going OP?

It s not being dramatic to request a GA for hysterescopy

Option is try it without and see but potentially have significant traumatic experience

Go straight for GA and know you will be sleeping through it

You are understandably already anxious so I would go for GA (which i did myself as was private gynae and it was presented as removing polys have a GA ... no debate. Tho i could feadibly have asked for no GA )