Smear test result - abnormal minor changes

[BrokenFlipFlop]

Apologies as no doubt this has come up many times before however I would appreciate some info/your experiences.

So, I received my smear result today and the letter states that there are minor changes and that as a result, I have to go back in 6 months for another test.

I realise that this is not 'serious' but as previous tests have always been 'normal', it was a bit of a shock.

So, I'd appreciate other peoples experiences ie I'm hoping that the 2nd smear will be fine but whats the procedure if its not?

Thanks

I recently had a result that was 'borderline' and I was called in for colposcopy and a biopsy. Even though I knew it was probably fine, it was quite a worrying time. Everything came back clear.

It's likely that there is nothing to worry about, but if I was you I would want more information. Abnormalities are graded 1-3 - which were yours? Why aren't they doing colposcopy now, rather than wait 6 months? What they've recommended may be perfectly appropriate, but you could go back to the GP and ask for more info to set your mind at rest.

Thank you.

The letter merely states minor changes and states to go bk in 6 months. It does not state a specific 'grade and says that they would rather wait 6 months to see if the changes go bk to normal before repeating the test - maybe it depends which PCT you're under as to what they do??

I may well go bk to GP as i'd like more info.

Most minor or grade 1 changes right themselves before the next test so try not to worry x

Thank you noddyholder

Like you I had a follow up smear and that still came back as mild dyskaryosis. I then had a colposcopy and that still came back as mild changes. The great consultant I saw explained that these changes often right themselves and that there was very little risk of cancer. Unfortunately, I cannot remember how he explained it all to me, but I came away feeling much better about it all. He said that the fact that I was now being closely monitored (which I am sure you will be too) means that they can treat anything that starts to look worrying.

I hope your next smear comes back clear, but if it doesn't then the colposcopy is painless (well, it was for me...I was just told to cough and he did it whilst I coughed) and they will be keeping a close eye on you.

Thank you Mung, I appreciate you sharing your experience. As you said, at least if there is anything it can be monitored and treated.

Thank you

my smear came back as minor changes and i went back for a retest 6mths later and then had a colposcopy

a year later i got tested and had once again had dodgy cells, again i had a colposcopy and this time cells had chnaged for the worse and i had to have laser treatment and a cone biopsy

they then kept a beady eye on me, and once again year later had more abnormal cells and had more laser treatment had another cone biopsy and then i had smears 6mthly and then yearly and now i have every 3 years

i do have a weird shaped cervix where so much has been lasered away , and once when i was being examined i was asked if some students could have a look (as they had never seen a lasered cervix)

i was a bit then thought fuck it, thats how doctors learn, so i had 10 students peer up my fanjo

i am sure you will be fine, but if you are worried then ask to speak to a doctor who hopefully will be able to explain things well

i always nag my friends to go for smears, i used to have 6 to their one,when had them 6mthly

I had this, see thread here with very useful information on. I spoke to my GP and he said to try not to worry as it is slight changes which have the potential to be pre cancerous cells.

It is just best to monitor them but it is natural to have changes and in most people they have a repeat smear and are fine.

Thanks so much and thanks for the link Ewe.

Blondeshavemorefun .. I know its not really funny but the bit about the med students did make me giggle. I think I'd have felt the same as you ie shocked but as you say, they have to learn somehow.

I went back to gp today (as had to go for something else anyway) and he checked a breakdown of my results and said that they were 'borderline' which is why I don't need any further action for 6 months.

To be honest I do feel a little more relaxed about it and I am actually pleased that I'll checked out and monitored ... better safe that sorry.

least they only looked - could have been worse if they had had a feel

i was told that sometimes borderline just meant that they hadnt had enough cells, or that there had been other fluid up there (ie sperm) and results then can vary

glad you are more relaxed and positive now

dearprudence: many/most minor abnormalities will go away by themselves without treatment, as the body sorts itself out (inflammation goes down, immune system clears an infection and so on).
the grading of 1-3 is Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - these are the changes seen in biopsies - by the Histology lab. The changes seen on a Pap test are dyskaryosis - a term which describes the difference in the nuclei of the abnormal cells. This is done in the Cytology lab. The two labs are complementary. Cytology is the examination of cells in detail. Histology is where the tissue structure is looked at in detail.
Sometimes women are referred on their first borderline changes if there are features which are difficult to interpret in the sample or if the changes are in endocervical rather than squamous cells.
National policy is to refer on the first occasion of borderline changes in endocervical cells. These cells are from the endocervical canal and have a slightly different structure and function. They produce the mucus seen mid-cycle.

Hope this is useful

Hi - I had an borderline minor changes smear a good few years back. Then went for repeat in 6 months and was normal and have been normal ever since - this was about 7 years ago. Just to reassure you really!

Thanks BellaNoir and rydercup - appreciate the info.

watsthestory - sorry to read about your result. As you can see, I'm not really in a position to offer any advice but I'm sure they'll be other lovely ladies on here who can.

Hugs

Sure, I can understand that. I hope someone else on here can reassure you.

Thanks watsthestory - fingers crossed for both of us

watsthestory

this might help read me

i also had cin 2 and im fine

sure all will be fine with you as well xx

I had 3 6 monthly smears before I had a colposcopy. I then had a cone biopsy & laser loop excision to remove the abnormal cells. I had 6 monthly smears after it & then went to annual & I've recently had my second clear annual. I was fine after having the cells removed. Took some ibuprofen before I went as advised by the hospital but didn't need to take anymore afterwards. It's not a particularly nice experience although I found it more uncomfortable than painful. Good luck & try not to worry as I was terrified at the time & found that fear was much worse than the reality.

hi

yes i did have laser treatment and yes im fine

was a bit sore but all sorted now