Cervical cancer

[WoolfieWoo]

I’m really scared. I’ve been experiencing significant bleeding after sex (bleeding through my clothes bleeding) and bleeding between periods for about a year. I was given a smear test that was overdue, which came back fine. GP also said visually my cervix was fine as well. I was then given a pelvic ultrasound which also came back fine.
Last week I went to see a private Gynaecologist because I was still concerned. He said my uterus is enlarged because of cervical stenosis (ie. blood isn’t flowing out properly). He also explained that cervix is more than just what you can see visually. He wanted to take a biopsy of the inner bit but wasn’t able to even insert a swab due to severe pain. (Previously smear tests have not been painful). He was woolly when pressed on what he thinks it is and told me to wait for further tests.
In the meantime I have diagnosed myself with advanced cervical cancer (with the help of Google). And I’m in a panic spiral. Anyone been through similar?

I've recently found out they only test your smear sample for cell changes IF you first test positive for HPV.

Are you in fast track for these further tests now? This is the most important thing to get done asap. 🤞

Macmillan are very good to talk to re these concerns
.
I had multiple maybe cancer scares last year - Macmillan were v good

It's a really slow growth cancer and you had the all clear relatively recently.. hopefully that will give some solace . Also medics won't give us the reassurance until they've had all the test results back .. but we can see that this is not a rapidly growing cancer

I am having more tests on 11th January. It’s only a few more days I know but the wait and then further waiting for results is so hard. I’m not good with uncertainty. I just look at my DC and want to cry.

@doubleshotcappuccino would cervical cancer even show on pelvic ultrasound though? I’m guessing not. Although good maybe that my uterus wasn’t swollen a year ago.

DH keeps telling me it isn’t cancer until we are told it’s cancer. I just want to shake him though when he says that. I know what he means and I know he means well. I just think it couldn’t possibly be anything else. I’m trying to deal with the most likely outcome if that makes sense.

Ca125 is a blood test with result often high 4 ovarian cancer - have they done that ?

Dya know which tests your having on thurs?

@WoolfieWoo I'm
Not a doctor but was in a very similar position and was sure of the same outcome. I would think it would have shown on the uterus.. i spent my time waiting convinced of a similar result and was beside myself with worry . I now know how slow growth this particular area is and wanted to a share that as at the time it really helped me.. xx

I am having a transvaginal ultrasound to check if the uterine cervix is thickened and to check out the blood in the uterine cavity. I haven’t had a blood test for ovarian cancer. I’m only 30 so I think that would be quite rare.

@doubleshotcappuccino Thank you, that makes sense. Hopefully it’s slow growing whatever it is.

If theres any question - push 4 an mri

I had a transvaginal last summer

Had mri late last yr

Showed some stuff..

Let us know how u get on

Jo's Trust are a great organisation for advice and support whilst you're waiting for assessment.

Hi @WoolfieWoo , checking in how you are? I'm going through this right now so letting you know you're not alone and thinking of you.
After some bleeding after sex, doctor has referred me for an ultrasound and having a smear tomorrow.
I'm all up to date with them and I know it's slow progressing but the worry is all consuming! I feel so teary, ratty at everyone and just want the tests now!
Sending positive thoughts x

Are you sure you're having a smear? That's not a diagnostic test, it's for screening. I would have thought you would have a colposcopy after symptoms like bleeding after sex.

Good luck with it!

I am due my 3 yearly smear test in February anyway so I would be due one now. Doctor suggested smear and internally ultrasound then go from there... thank you

Please can you update on your results? I'm in exactly the same situation :(

Also hoping for an update? I'm also having issues at present.

Any updates here? X

Hi, it was not Cervical Cancer in the end. It ended up being an Ectopic Pregnancy in an unusual place. It was missed until I ended up fainting and being rushed to A&E. A specialist told me that there are many things these things can be and that our brains always go to the worst case scenario. It was certainly true for me.

Woolfie, I’m sorry about your ectopic pregnancy but what had been causing the bleeding for a year prior to seeing the gynaecologist.

@AnnieMcFanny I don’t know. I still have weird bleeding patterns (bleeding between periods) but I’ve had all the tests they could possibly do and they have said it’s nothing serious. The really heavy bleeding stopped once the pregnancy was resolved.