Please reassure me - severely abnormal smear

[parno]

Had my smear about a week ago and had letter back today confirming I have severe dyskariosis and will be contacted to attend appointment for further investigations. I am obviously totally terrified not helped by the fact my DC's and I go on holiday tomorrow so will not be able to chase this up for the next week.

I have been on t'internet and for once have been reassured with what I read on there, I know it doesn't mean I have the dreaded C and I am aware of the treatment however the only thinG niggling away in the back/middle and front of my mind is if I do definitely have cervical cancer would that be confirmed at the smear stage and if so would they tell me that in a letter?

Do I just take the letter on face value?

Does anyone have any experience of this or knowledge of this area, if so some advice either way would be graetly appreciated. I am a big girl now who just likes to have all the facts at hand!!

TIA

As far as I know they need biopsies to fully diagnose cervical cancer. I would think you'll be referred to a colposcopy clinic. Can you speak to your GP or the clinic who did the test? They should be able to reassure you.

The patient.co.uk website is good (it's the nhs info site). I can't link on my phone, sorry.

Thank you bit bewildered. I will be getting an appointment for the clinic depending on how quickly the decide I need to be seen.

Have to phone surgery tomorrow. Totally typical though, we go to France tomorrow so will have to call en route. Why couldn't the letter have come a day later and I could have had a angst free first foreign holiday with the monkey children.

Ah well.

Severe dyskariosis is not the same thing as cancer and doesn't look the same as cancer under the microscope, either. What was reported is what they saw. The treatment is exactly the same for severe dyskariosis as it is for moderate and mild dyskariosis. Whatever the result you are given, there is always a small chance that something else is found at colposcopy, but they saw what they saw and they didn't see cancer....

Years ago I had an abnormal smear, can't remember what grade it was. They did the colposcopy, and took a sliver off. This was the bit with the problem on it, obviously. Problem was then sorted, and every smear since has been fine. Meant I had to give birth by Section, but no other problems that I am aware of.

I had severe dyskaryosis (CIN III) 9 years ago. I went on to have two problem-free pregnancies that ended with two healthy babies.

You will now go in for a Colposcopy, where dr will paint your cervix with vinegar (really) and take a look at it.

During this Colposcopy, you will probably also have a Biopsy, where dr will clip several tiny pieces out of your cervix for analysis, to confirm the diagnosis of severe dyskaryosis. Don't worry, this doesn't really hurt (I would tell you if it did ).

If biopsy confirms the diagnosis, you will be offered a small operation called LEEP during which the tip of your cervix will be cut out in the shape of a cone with a hot wire. You will probably have quick general anaesthetic for this and wake up to a dull period pain.

The piece that is cut out will be sent for biopsy, and if it shows that all dyskaryosis was successfully taken out (i.e. borders all clear), that means you are clear.

I didn't have to give birth by CS, by the way, and can't imagine why you would have to - it's not like the cervix is welded shut (obviously, since we managed to get pregnant)

Hi I had this last year, I had a panic and was quite scared but really didn't need to be.

I had a colposcopy and leetz treatment. They gave me local anasthetic so it didn't hurt but did smell a bit. They basically sear off the affected part of the cervix with a hot loop if metal.

The nurse was lovely and told me at the appointment that it didn't look like anything sinister. This was confirmed by phone call a week later cin 3 clear margins meaning they got it all.

Try the Jo's trust website, it is a cervical cancer forumn but they have a whole section for people going through the same thing along with you.

Big hugs xx

Hi
Sorry to hear you got your results letter just before heading off on holiday. For info about colposcopy and abnormal results can I suggest the colposcopists' society website. As rachog says Jo's trust can very supportive for women have investigation and treatment for cervical abnormalities.
The vast majority of women with a result of severe dyskaryosis don't have cervical cancer, if they do it is often at a really early stage and often the treatment is exactly the same as for severe dyskaryosis. However as the others say a colposcopy and investigation/ treatment with biopsy and/or LLETZ is needed to confirm exactly what's going on.
Hope you enjoy your holiday and don't have to wait too long for an appointment. Severe dyskaryosis has a target for the patient to be see within 4 weeks so the unit will be aiming to fit you in within that time.

Thank you so much for all advice and info. Have just returned from hols and have letter confirming appointment for this Thursday. I feel a lot better having read replies, thanks again.

I've had this too: severe widespread dyskaryosis, CIN III'. Scary as hell at the time, but I was - and remain - fine. I had a colposcopy and a loop excision (and was one of the very very rare minority to need a second loop excision a year later because they didn't quite get it all), but have since had four clear smear tests. The consultant told me at the time that these abnormalities can take ten years to turn into cancer, and that once you've had your abnormal smear and are 'in the system', they can almost always sort it out - it's people who don't go for smears who are in danger.

I hope it goes well on Thursday. In my experience, all the staff at the colposcopy unit were kindness personified and I was treated with utter respect and dignity throughout. It's a bit like taking your fanjo to the dentist but it wasn't painful at all. Thinking of you: pop back and let us know what the outcome is

Went for further examination yesterday. Had a loop excision which to be honest was fine, no pain or discomfort. Nurse advised that if there was cancer present would most likely have appeared on the smear result which it hadn't.

Now have a 4 week wait for results but feel much better after all your comments and getting through the procedure with a certain amount of dignity in tact.

I even managed to laugh at myself desperately trying to cover my bum in the hospital gown after having had 3 repeated strangers peeping up my fanjita!