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Original poster

Been referred...possible cervical cancer

34 replies

MyBeloved · 14/04/2016 20:47

I'm so scared. Been experiencing mid cycle bleeding for a number of months. Had internal scan which showed no fibroids or other abnormalities. Blood tests came back with liver function slightly abnormal but could have been due to taking antibiotics at the time. Doctor has now referred me urgently to gynaecology for 'suspected cancer ' under the two week rule. I'm terrified. Please tell me any experiences you have had and any positive outcomes x

OP posts:
Mishaps · 14/04/2016 20:49

I do not have any experience of this, nor advice to give, but I would like to send you good wishes. I hope that they get this sorted quickly.

loveyoumummy · 14/04/2016 21:11

Sending hugs X

Have you had any problems with bleeding after intercourse? As in spotting?

I had mid cycle bleeding and spotting issues. I was referred. I had a polyp and also had problems with my cervix.

Bloods were normal and has hysteroscopy that came back fine.

I had to have my cervix cauterised. They don't know what actually was wrong....

Pheobe1 · 14/04/2016 21:11

Try and stay as calm as possible. In my case there were only 4 days between having a routine smear -I had no symptoms at all- and finding out I had stage 2 CC. The waiting and not knowing was the worst time.
It's a really horrible time, if you do get the worst news please feel free to pm me and I will give you more details. I have just reached my two year all clear. It's a very treatable cancer,

loveyoumummy · 14/04/2016 21:13

Did they do a smear?

With regards to two weeks, I was told that I would have been seen that soon if I was over 35. Because I wasn't I would have to wait. Perhaps you are being referred quickly because of your age? What did your GP actually say?

Original poster
MyBeloved · 14/04/2016 21:26

I'm up to date with my smears. Am actually due my next one in October. Have been referred under the 2 week rule as in suspected cancer. It is nothing to with my age apparently. I am in my 40s however. The doctor said that because my bloods showed no evidence of hormonal fluctuation and my internal scan showed no abnormalities such as fibroids etc, that she could not rule out the C word so was referring me as a fast track. She expected me to be given a colposcpopy at the very least at my first appointment. I'm very scared. Thank you for your replies x

OP posts:
winnybella · 14/04/2016 21:30

2 year NED here as well.
OP, when was your last smear? Tbh, ultrasound is fairly useless for cervix apparently, my tumour didn't show up at all, but so a polyp wouldn't necessarily show either. OTOH it could pick up dodgy lymph nodes and spread outside of cervix so that's good news that it was clear. In any case it's unlikely to be cancer as it's fairly rare, tbh.

Original poster
MyBeloved · 14/04/2016 21:33

I have not had any spotting after intercourse except for when I have literally just come off and that's always been the case. It's more the mid cycle stuff that's unusual. This month my period has lasted 3 weeks. It's very weird. The mid cycle stuff was brown rather than red but this month's extended period was red. I feel like I don't know my body any more.

I keep hoping it's hormonal as I've had perimenopausal symptoms. Maybe I'm just clinging onto wishful thinking...

Phoebe
I'm so glad you're 2 years free of C xxx

OP posts:
tribpot · 14/04/2016 21:35

Whilst I think it's impossible not to worry, it's worth stressing is an urgent refferal? 90% of people referred on a two week wait will not be diagnosed with cancer. So your odds are good.

winnybella · 14/04/2016 21:38

Not bleeding after sex is a very encouraging sign Smile

Original poster
MyBeloved · 14/04/2016 21:49

Winnybella: great that you are 2 years clear too. I have seen so many friends And family go through the journey of C. May you be clear always x

OP posts:
winnybella · 14/04/2016 22:18

Thank you. Well, with you being up to date with smears and clear scan I would think that even if it was cancer ( unlikely) then it would be at a very early stage so easy to treat. But it's probably a polyp or something similarly benign. I sympathise with the anxiety, waiting for tests/ results is just fucking awful.

winnybella · 14/04/2016 22:22

Oh, and feel free to PM me as well if you need any info re colposcopy or anything else.

Original poster
MyBeloved · 14/04/2016 22:23

My last smear was almost 3 years ago...

OP posts:
justdontevenfuckingstart · 14/04/2016 22:27

mybeloved I had about two years of treatments and numerous colposcopys, ending with a total hysterectomy as they were worried. If I can be of any help then pm me. my treatment was because of abnormal smears so a bit different.

winnybella · 14/04/2016 22:36

Yeah, I was 9 months late for mine, so 3 y 9 mo for me and I've had a bit of bleeding after sex for almost a year before diagnosis ( but because it happened rarely and only during ovulation I told myself it must have been ovulation bleed Hmm, also always had normal smears, low risk etc) and my tumour was smallish, stage one, so tbh even IF it was a cancer in your case it really would almost certainly be at a very early stage where a simple op ( perhaps just loop or tracheletomy, not hysterctomy) would fix you, no chemo etc. But really, it could be quite a few things and the fact you don't bleed after sex is a positive sign as the lesions tend to bleed when touched so it does sound more hormonal in my opinion ( and from what my friends say, basic hormone testing is often not enough to see what the problem is). For now you don't have a reason to panic yet, you really don't.

Original poster
MyBeloved · 14/04/2016 23:03

Thank you all very much x
Justdonteven: I really hope you are feeling better now you are out the other side now x how awful for you x

OP posts:
justdontevenfuckingstart · 14/04/2016 23:12

Thanks beloved I didn't have cancer, that would have been the next step I guess as the cells were getting as bad as they could so we prevented it. just don't want to give people that have been through worse than me the wrong impression. Anything I can speak to you about tho just ask. x

lljkk · 15/04/2016 16:37

I don't want to give you false reassurance... but basically, if GP didn't say 'suspected cancer' then you might wait weeks for what is probably, going to be a benign result. So they have to say "suspected worst thing" in order to move you along in system fast.

It doesn't mean that they really think you have strong signs of the worst, just enough signs that the worst should be ruled out quickly. Hang in there.

MaidofButtermere · 15/04/2016 16:53

OP - I have PMed you.

Original poster
MyBeloved · 15/04/2016 17:19

Llkjj, thank you. My doctor, whom I have known many years and trust implicitly, replied to my question of whether she thought it might be anything sinister with a very long pause and said "I can't say it isnt". I was not reassured by the look on her face.

I'm not dwelling on it but at random points today I've felt really panicky. A bit tearful. Jeez...I need to get a grip.

X

OP posts:
Icantstopeatinglol · 15/04/2016 23:32

I've been experiencing mid cycle bleeding and bleeding after sex. Currently waiting 4wks to see a gynaecologist. I know you're worried but getting seem quickly means whatever is going on will get sorted sooner. Hope you feel better soon xx

Original poster
MyBeloved · 16/04/2016 19:52

Oh Icantstop, everything crossed x

OP posts:
sadie9 · 16/04/2016 21:41

If it's any consolation both myself and my sister have had this type of bleed occasionally. Mine was associated with peri menopausal symptoms. An oddly 'dry' bleed, even seems to have fibres or strings in it, if you get my meaning, more brown than blood, lasted only a couple of days. And mid cycle. With some little pains but not major cramps.
Because my sister reported the exact same thing I figured it was a breakthrough bleed of some sort. Then can't remember if next period came on time or late or what. I did go to doc and I had an ultrasound and then waited many months to see gynae. At that point cycle was back to normal. Gynae said said 'well you have had clear smears and your ultra sound is normal so go home'.
Your liver function would not be affected by anything gynae.
It helps to track ovulation if you can, even if you are not trying to conceive. I found if I got a day of heavy 'egg white' mucus and a pain in my side I would get a period 14-16 days later. But I was used to doing that as I had irregular periods anyway so in order to know when I was going to have a period i had to know if/when ovulation had happened.

Original poster
MyBeloved · 26/04/2016 14:24

Ok so I have to go back for a hysteroscopy. Great.

OP posts:
joeythenutter · 26/04/2016 17:57

Just to give you some reassurance, I had the same mid cycle bleeding for over a year before I done anything, I had a polyp, removed, then endo. Im in my forties too. I know its easy to say, but don't panic. At the very least they are checking you out quickly, I waited 4 months for app.