Scared of CervicalCancer

[Mistiek]

Im sure there has been a lot of hype about cervical cancer recently because of what happenend to Jade, but this is somthing that I have been worried about for years now.

Im alway having women problems and things are just never right in that department. about 3 years ago I had a smear with abnormal results and had to go for a colposcopy. (I went to the doctor because of painfull sex and bleeding during sex) By the time my appointment came around I was pregnant. They did the colposcopy and found an etrophian as well as cells but could not do anything because I was pregnant. 3 months after dd was born I had another colposcopy which came back all fine. No more cells.

I was due for a smear last year but every time I booked it I had my periods (which are very irregular so can not book according to a my cycle - grrr). DH and I seperated last year and with looking after the kids, returning to work and studying I just did not get round to it.

DH and I are back together and in January I started with the bleeding during sex again - quite badly. So went back to the doctor and booked a smear. I went for the smear but the nurse made me bleed again and warned me that the smear might not work... I got my results a couple of weeks ago and they are inconclusive because the smear was unclear.... so its been 3 months since going to the doctor and I still dont know whats going on.

On Thursady last week DH and I slept together and it was so soar and I bled horribly. I have been in pain ever since. Yesterday the pain was so bad that I landed up going to A & E as I was so worried.... They sent me home with pain killers saying they can not do anything.

I have a smear booked today and an appointment afterwards Im just so worried that the docotor will not understand how worried I am. I know I will bleed again during the smear and may have to wait another 6 weeks before I get told it did not work again...... is a smear the only way to get tested for abnormal cells. Is there anything else I can ask my doctor about....all this time passing by is really worring me.

I am just really scared as I have all the symptoms for Cervical Cancer and as I have lost close family members to cancer it scares the crap out of me...... anyone with some advice? Please

Hi... Thanks for your reply. I will post later after the doctors to let you know what he said and if the smear was successful...

Hope it is!

Lol.....

Maybe... but I doubt that will help with the bleeding but might help with the mental state of mind. HAHA

Thanks for making me smile....

Are you having a smear or colposcopy? In your position you might get a better result with a colposcopy.

If they can't get a decent smear today then pester them until they agree to get you in immediately when you are not bleeding. Bear in mind that while the NHS is generally very good, you are just one of thousands and a bit of pester power will speed things up for you. Hope everything is ok.

Im having a smear... but because of all the pain I booked a dr's appointment afterwards.

Im not bleeding at the moment but when I have smears done tey make me bleed. They only need to touch my cervix and it bleeds.... same thing when I have sex. Its painfull and I bleed during sex.

So I know there is somthing wrong with my cervix... either Ihave another etrophian or the abnormal cells are back. so inevitabbly I will need to have a colposcopy again so can not understand why they keep persiting with the smears and dont just send me for the dam colposcopy...

So this afternoon if they make me bleed during the smear I will insist they do somthing else....

But you know what the NHS is like so we will see what happens. Somtimes I feel its all about saving money and not lives....

Im gratefull for the NHS... dont get me worng, I even work for them...but sometimes they just dont listen to the little poeple...

IME a colposcopy nurse / consultant will be more skilled at doing it. Hope you get it sorted, don't let them palm you off . I always pester my consultant when its time for a colposcopy so I don't slip down the list, I bet they are fed up with me!

If you're have 3 inadequates (each 3 months apart) they should refer you for a colposcopy automatically.

When you have your smear ask the nurse to do a full sexual health screen as well (just to be on the safe side).

Have you asked your GP for an ultrasound? Could be worth it especially if the pain is in your womb as opposed to in your cervix.

If they're not helpful maybe go to a sexual health clinic for the bleeding/pain or better still a women's health/family planning clinic(for the smear and bleeding/pain).

Hope you get some help today x

hmmm.. thats a good idea.. I never thought of going to the family planning clinic to see what they say.

I for some reason or other thought they were there for contraception and std etc....

did not think they could help with this... thought it was a GP thing.

We will see what happens today and what the doctor says. will ask about a scan too.

I wouldn't go back to the practice nurse to do another smear (particularly since if he/she makes you bleed, it will be harder for the doctor to see at your appointment straight afterwards what is going on when he/she tries to have a look). I'd go straight to the doctor and get them to do an internal examination followed by the smear - most practice nurses are not trained to do internal examinations, or to comment on the possible causes of an unusual appearance to the cervix when visualised during the smear, even if they see them. By doing an internal examination, your GP could feel for any unusual lumps, bumps, swellings and areas of pain anywhere in your pelvic area, and they can tell whether you have an ectropion or not, or anything else big enough to be seen on the cervix without a microscope. They can also refer you straight away for a colposcopy if necessary, rather than waiting yet again for a possibly inconclusive smear result. A GP would also be in a better position than the practice nurse to discuss ALL the possible causes of your symptoms, as there are many more possible causes than cancer of the cervix for pain and bleeding on intercourse.

I know surgeries always try to push people to have their smears with the practice nurse, but you are not wanting a routine smear, you have other issues in addition and the GP really should be willing in those circumstances to do it for you and give you a proper physical examination at the same time, rather than expecting you to have a speculum shoved up inside you twice by two different people.

I wouldd definately go to the family plannning clinic. I went at the tail end of last year with 'womens problems' and I asked them to refer me to a womens clinic to get investigated. I was given lots of investigation and diagnosis and then offeredd treatment which they then did. I came away with peacee of mind as like yoou I was convinced I had something terrible, Go andd see the familuy planning and ask to be referred to a womens clinic for investigation. Oh and good luck for today.

Some hospitals have their own women's health clinics which can you can go to without a referral (this is in addition to the community clinics provided by the PCT).

Sometimes they have the scans, colposcopists, gynaecologists, etc all under one roof and getting a second opinion or referral can be more straightforward.

asteamedpoater speaks a lot of sense too (hope that doesn't sound too patronising!).

No it does not... it all makes sense.

At least now I know what my options are and if I dont have any luck today then I can start looking into the other options.

Is a colposcopy same as a hysteroscopy? I had hysteroscopy last week - I had bleeding which was diagnosed by GP as cervical polyp.

Luckily I have BUPA coverage so was dealt with quickly but under NHS takes a month just to see the consultant, though may be better where you live.

I had my op last week, was fine. Consultant removed a polyp and cauterised an erosion (which I hadn't previously known I'd had).

There's nothing in what you have described that suggests you have cancer, you probably have a niggly problem, polyp or erosion etc like I did.

Treatment is done under a general so no pain or embarrassment at all. I'd say, see your GP. It doesn't matter if you are bleeding at the time, they can still look. I was on my period when I had my op, makes no difference.

morriszapp a hysteroscopy is when they look at the womb with a camera to investigate any suspected problems.

Hi Shine....No not trashed anywhere... pitty

The smear went ok. It was very soar but she was very gentle and did not make me bleed too much and has said that she should have enough for a good reading this time.

I then got seen by a student Dr which at first I was really worried about but he only has 2 weeks left and then he is finished so must know enough.. and he asked me every question under the sun and really took on board everything I said.

He then consulted with the other doctor and came back saying that they have decided to reffer me to the gyne dept at the hospital to see a specialist... and then still asked me if that was ok!!!! and was there anything else he could do for me...

he was a very nice Doctor... wish they were all that nice and supportive and all listened that well.

So Monday I will get my choose and book letter and take it from there. apparently the main dr said it should not take long to get through but did not say how long.

Anyone know how long it takes to see a gyne??? anyone else been reffered? how long did you have to wait.

In the mean time all i can do is take pain killers for the pain...

HHi, glad you are getting some help. Every area is different for waiting times but I think I was about 6 weeks for my hospital gynea appointment. When I went through family planning for somee reason it was quicker. I am glad someone listened to you. Did they put your mind at rest at all???

No not really. He did not say much about what it could or could not be and could not explain the pain im getting.

I hate the waiting and am very stressed by it all but at least I am now going to see a specialist...

I have been having problems for so many years now that I am just glad that more is being done and that I should hopfully be getting answers soon.

The pain killers are making me drowsey so I am off to bed to get some much needed sleep.

Night all... thanks for all the advice and help.... anymore is still appreciated.

I am not a doctor and I am not offering a diagnosis but, as you have had the problem for so long I would expect that if it was anything to worry about (i.e cancer) you would be very ill after all this time and would have been in hospital with some terrible symptoms by now. Just keep thinking like that and hopefully you wont feel too worried during your wait for your appointment.