Abnormal smear result and a call from the practice nurse

[clareabouts]

For the last few years I've had "borderline" smear test results, but the latest one has shown up as "abnormal" and I received a letter this morning saying I'd need to go into hospital for a different type of test. I've just missed a call from the practice nurse who did the screening, no message apart from "it's about your test results" so I called the surgery back and apparently the nurse isn't back until Monday and I can't speak to anyone else. I know this isn't particularly out of the ordinary but I can't help worrying! Anyone have any reassuring advice/experience for me?

aww how horrible to not have all the info!
i had abnormal smear on my first one at 25, my 2 best friends did too! (all turned 25 within 6months)
my GP called me to first advise me that my result was abnormal....could you not insist you speak to GP, Monday is a long time to keep you dangling!

i know its easier said than done but try not to worry yourself too much.

x

ps, is the hospital test a colposcopy?
x

Yes it is! Is that what you had?

yes it was, i thought it was ok, bit undignified but ok.

i did have lletz treatment (stands for large loop excision of the transformation zone)on the abnormal area there and then, something i really wasnt prepared for (wish GP had given me a heads up) but that was also fine (local anesthetic). lletz is a treatment to take the abnormal area away and they use it to biopsy to find out what the abnormal area is. you get period like pains for a few days after.
one of my friends also had this but the other didnt and her "abnormal cells" went away on its own :-).

any questions just ask, iv had this done twice. hope youl let us knw how u get on.

x

DD (29) went today for the same procedure. It was a follow up after abnormal cells were found a year ago. She said it was fine and if this one is clear then she will prob go on to annual follow up visits.
She has come home happy and relaxed.
Remember that these tests are designed to catch very small changes very early . ( and try not to worry !)

Thank you both, I do feel less worried about it today. I might try to find out from the GP why the nurse was calling - the letter said I'd get an appointment notification within eight weeks, so I'd just like to make sure there's no other reason she wanted to get hold of me.

Oh and thank you for warning me about lletz, cookos. Maybe that's why the nurse was calling!

*cookoos

I've had abnormal smears over the years and as a result had a punch biopsy and two loop biopsies. No problems after these procedures, just regular smears toccheck all is still ok.

Abnormal results are very common and only tend to show very early changes which may lead to cancer down the line if not checked, an abnormal result does not mean cancer. Good luck I'm sure you'll be fine!

Thank you! Yes, I feel much more rational about it today.

I had abnormal cells in December after previously bein normal. I had a colposcopy and biopsy in January which confirmed mild changes so have to have a repeat next year. The colposcopy is undignified but no more so than a smear IMO. Take paracetamol before hand tho just incase tgey do a biopsy my consultant pulled about a bit whilst doing it.