Worried about cancer... Handhold please

[PrettyWisdomous]

I know I can be a hypochondriac and I've convinced myself I've had all sorts of nasty illnesses before, but usually any (psychosomatic) symptoms clear up in a day or two... but right now, I'm actually really worried.

I'm almost 12 weeks postpartum. During pregnancy, I had multiple episodes of bleeding which several Doctors said was probably caused by cervical erosion. However, I was told a few times to have a smear test asap after delivery & one Dr said that the bleeding was more than they would have expected to see from an erosion.

Since DC was born, I've had a further few episodes of abnormal bleeding (period hasn't yet returned). I spoke to the Dr who has arranged an early smear test for Thursday & done a vaginal swab which was normal. It's probably worth mentioning that my last smear was 2.5 years ago and normal.

However, I have other symptoms which I've seen are signs of cervical cancer. Excessive vaginal discharge, pain during sex (in pregnancy as well as post), pelvic and lower back pain. I also had persistent unexplained bloating pre-pregnancy, which may or may not be relevant.

I'm just worried as although I've read that a cervical erosion is not a sign of cancer, early cervical cancer can look similar to an erosion.

Does anyone have any experience of this or similar? I'm genuinely scared.

We are in a similar boat and can hold each other’s hand. I’m currently waiting for a pelvic scan due to similar symptoms to yours.
Dr. Google also tells me they are the symptoms of fybroids and cysts also so I’m trying not to worry too much.

Kit do you have a date for your scan? Have you had any tests so far?

I'm going to go and read about fibroids and cysts. I had around 10 ultrasound scans during my pregnancy so I'm trying to reassure myself that anything unusual would have been spotted.

No advice or experience of this (but did survive childhood cancer), but sending love and best wishes and a gentle hug and handhold 💐

Thank you username and sorry to hear of your previous illness.

There’s no delicate way to put this but have you had a full STI screen?

Pretty I’m currently in middle of this as I went to doc with abnormal bleeding and she referred me under the two week cancer check. I have now had coloposcopy and hysteroscopy. Awaiting biopsy results but they have found a polyp in womb. So I can completely empathise with how you are feeling I have spent 4 weeks in a bit of a state.
You need to get the smear done and it that doesn’t show anything re cervix push for them to check your womb.

The bleeding could be from post pregnancy though?

When I was in a similar situation I was referred for coloposcopy under a 2 week wait. The cells on your cervix are looked at then and there with a dye and biopsied. I assume you are also going for this?
Good luck OP, hoping everything is fine for you, there's every chance it will be just an innocent erosion xx

Gamer I'm not sure about the STI check... I've been with DP for a long time and can't remember whether we both got checked at the beginning. I'll contact the GP and ask what the swab was testing for and ask if they would do an STI check at the same time as the smear.

Minime sorry to hear of your experience, I really hope your results come back clear. What will they do about the polyp? I don't think this bleeding is linked to the pregnancy, as my lochia stopped weeks ago.

They will remove polyp they can clause the bleeding.

Could it be your cycle settling back in?

The pain before baby worth mentioning I think. Hopefully doctor will refer you on on Thursday. They will be able to see cervix and from that refer you, that’s what happened to me. Mention discharge too. Tell them as much as you can, maybe write it down so you don’t forget.

Good luck and I hope you get on ok

I did have to have swabs for sti things too as another poster mentioned, three swabs in all. Standard I think for this kind of situation. They could take them at same time as smear.

Dharma no, I haven't been referred for a coloposcopy. Would you mind sharing what was found in your case? Thank you for your well wishes.

Thank you minime. I don't think the bleeding is menstruation, but it could be I guess. It's more like irregular spotting than a period.

The doctors comment re blood seeming more than erosion is silly of them. An erosion can bleed lots or little depending on the size- so please discount that statement. They shouldn’t have said that.

I have to go through it all for post coital bleeding. But I was too young for a smear so had to go straight to cystoscopy under 2ww. That came back fine but then they suggested a uterus ultrasound which showed a growth. At this point was obviously shitting myself and they booked me in for a general anaesthetic to have hysteroscopy (to look at growth) and ablation for erosion. And there was no bloody ‘growth’ to be found! So god knows what’s going on there.

My point being that it’s all very confusing and interlinking down there are the best of times, especially post pregnancy. So although some of your symptoms could be the symptoms of a cancer, they could be lots of other things. Please don’t get ahead of yourself and just take it one step at a time.

colposcopy not cystoscopy

Oh that sounds so frustrating Gemini! I hope the bleeding has stopped for you now.

I keep telling myself "I'm sure it's not cancer" to try and make myself believe it... but it's not really working.

OP, I had an erosion and large polyp on the cervix, 2 large cysts on my ovaries, asherman syndrome (explained my previous placenta accreta with my baby, it was diagnosed with a hysteroscopy under GA). 3 weeks after the colposcopy I had the whole lot removed in theatre under GA and I'm fine now. Was benign, not cancer. I was bleeding all the time and post coitally. It definitely doesn't always mean cancer.

All the best and let us know how you get on x

Dharma thanks for sharing, that sounds like a lot to have to deal with... Good to hear that it was benign and not cancer. Sorry to be nosy, when you say you had "the lot" removed, do you mean all the (for want of a better word) nasty bits or all your organs?!

I have cervical cancer and my bleeding was heavy and pretty much stop, the fact that you're just spotting is probably a good sign that it's not too serious. Please get yourself back to the doctor if you're still worried. The fact that you have pain when having sex needs looking at, as previous posters have said it could be fibroids.

When I went for my smear it was obvious something was wrong, if they have any concerns they will send you for a 2 week cancer referral, if they do please try not to panic, they call it that so you get seen quicker. The majority of cases turn out to be nothing serious

Purple I'm very sorry to hear about your experience with cancer, I hope you're recovery went/is going well. It's reassuring me to know that in your experience I'd likely have a lot more bleeding if it was anything sinister. Thank you for sharing.

How are you getting on Pretty?