Some abnormal cells in second smear test, what does it mean?!

[Kiki27]

I arrived back from holiday today and found my cervical screening test results waiting for me I'd had a 'minor/mild changes' result before Christmas and was told to come back for a repeat 6 months later, which I've just received the results for today. They say that there are 'some abnormal cell changes' does anyone know what this means? I did my research after the mild changes result last time and the nurse reassured me that it was one of the lowest levels of abnormalities but I can't find any information on 'some abnormal cell changes'. The letter also said that I'd need to have a colposcopy for further investigation and I would receive a letter from the hospital in the next few weeks.

I'm guessing my minor abnormal cells haven't gone back to normal but does the new term of 'some abnormal cell changes' mean they've got worse?

I'm 26 and getting married in 6 months so I'm finding all this really hard to deal with at the moment, if anyone could offer me any advice, information or personal experiences I would be extremely grateful.

Thank you :)

Hi Kiki,
Just looked this up for you. Please see Cancer Research UK website. Don't be scared by the website name. 'Abnormal cell changes' usually refer to pre-cancer and the usual procedure is to send women for colposcopy - so they are doing everything they should be doing. Pre-cancerous cells can be treated before cancer develops (they are very early stage changes). The website I have suggested should help you to understand the next stages and what your diagnosis means. You did the right thing going for the screening and looks like you will be able to reverse any changes early. Try not to worry - once diagnosis and treatment are in place -chances are good for total recovery. ask loads of questions when you go for your investigation. i'm sure they will be able to offer you reassurance.

Just to clarify what Girl says about "pre-cancer" - the important word there is "pre" not the other one! Slight abnormalities have a relatively high chance of eventually becoming cancerous (like - decades later), and the earlier they are detected the easier it is to treat them.

I had an abnormal smear result a couple of years ago, and was referred for colposcopy at the hospital. At the colposcopy (about 2 months later), the specialist also took a biopsy. The biopsy results showed I needed a loop excision, where they basically burn off the abnormal cells.

The loop was about 2 months after that, with a local anaesthetic; 6 months later I had a follow-up smear which showed the all-clear. I had another colposcopy a couple of months later and after that was released back to the normal screening programme with my GP.

There was a little pain (I particularly remember the biopsy...), a fair amount of embarrassing legs akimbo, and I was very afraid at first - but there really was nothing to worry about. And the nurses and specialists at the hospital were fantastic, very keen to reassure and answer questions.

One thing to be aware of - if you do end up having a loop excision, it's no sex for 6-7 weeks afterwards. I had the loop 4 months after my smear results - if the timing's the same for you, you might want to ask the specialist about having the loop after your honeymoon, not a week before your wedding!

Thank you for your replies and kind advice. I thought that mild abnormalities were the lowest risk at developing into cancer?

Thank you for the cancer research info, the abnormalities are graded as mild, moderate and severe. My first smear said I had mild/minor changes but the repeat now just says 'some abnormal cell changes' so I was wondering where on the scale that was?

It might mean abnormal changes, but not obviously of the sort they are looking for (ie not necessarily caused by the HPV virus), so they can't grade it for you or tell you what it means! Cervical screening is designed to pick up what is called dyskariosis or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), because it is these changes that can eventually develop into cervical cancer. These are not the only cell changes that can happen - I've had "metaplasia" before. This is apparently nothing to worry about, but it isn't "normal"!!

Yes, mild abnormalities are the lowest risk of later developing to cancer - if left untreated. If treated, the chances are minimal to zero

Mild abnormalities frequently go back to normal by themselves - it's why they don't treat them the minute they see them. If they don't go back to normal, then obviously they can progress to something more serious, eventually (after considerably more than 6 months or they wouldn't ask you to wait that long before you come back...). Sounds to me like your first result was possibly just a "borderline" one, not even mild dyskariosis or CIN1, which means that even then, they noticed some mildly abnormal cells but not abnormalities that could clearly be described as CIN. It could, therefore, have been caused by any sort of transient infection or irritation, with the subsequent smear test being no more enlightening, hence wanting to take a closer look to see what's going on in situ, rather than scraping a few cells off and looking at those.

Thank you for all the helpful and reassuring words, I've been trying to keep calm and rational! My appointment came through in the post this morning, it's on the 28th of July. The only thing is it's 2 days before my period starts, does anyone know if this effects it all?

Ive just had a colposcopy & biopsy, just waiting for results now. I think it doesnt really matter where you are in your cycle but advice is to ring if you get your period the day of the appointment as they or you might want to re-arrange x

Thank you for the advice and reassuring words. Had the colposcopy results back today. There are still minor changes but I require no treatment at present, just need to go back in six months. The doctor did say that the changes in my smear test were very mild and during the colposcopy he said there was nothing sinister looking just inflammation. Could the minor changes just be the inflammation. I also had two test/swabs done during the colposcopy which have come back negative. One was for chlamydia but I can't remember what the second one was for. Does anyone know what the tests were for?

I wish they explained more in the results letter, it was very brief! X

I had some abnormal changes a few years ago I was scared as anything but no need to be
Was sent to the hospital had another smear and a biopsy was done 7 weeks later I was called back for treatment had them burned with something I'm sure is called a loop thingy (sorry can say the word but can't spell it loop d etc ) didn't hurt a but and now my smear tests are normal