smear and colposcopy worries

[lessyummymoretummy]

I was wondering if anyone has any advice or information that could help, or maybe just put my mind at rest a bit.

Back in November, I had my smear test, It was actually due the April before, so was a few months late. The results showed abnormal cells, which came as a scare considering Jade Goody's situation.

The letter I receieved basically told me to 'wait and see' - that I would need to be retested in 6 months. In June I was retested and the results (which took 10 weeks to arrive) were the same and I have been told to make an appointment for a colposcopy. This appointment is on the 26th October.

I've had some abnormal bleeding between periods - not alot, and its just once each cycle. TBH, its not something that would have concerned me if it hadnt been for the results of my smear.

So, I'm really worrying about the upcoming colposcopy, due to the abnormal bleeding, and the fact that it is almost a year since the abnormal cells were first discovered. I dont have any friends who have been through anything like this, so I have no one to give me any advice/info. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Abnormal bleeding mid cycle can be related to ovulation - many women do have a little bleed at this time of the month, so since it only happens once a month, it could be that. Bleeding between periods can also be caused by a cervical erosion/ectropion (same thing, just different names for it) - sensitive cells that normally only line the inner cervix growing out onto the outer surface of the cervix, where they bleed more easily than the cells more normally found there. This is caused by your hormones, is more common in people on the pill, pregnant women and younger women, but can happen to anyone. Either of these possilibities are a far more likely cause for your mid-cycle bleeding than cervical cancer. I'm sure there are other causes, too, but I'm not a doctor, so can only name the two most likely causes!

As for your smear test results, they clearly haven't found any severe abnormalities in your smear sample, or they wouldn't have taken the wait and see approach. So, again, this points to it being exceptionally unlikely that you have anything seriously wrong with you, if anything wrong with you at all. Even if the changes they have found are HPV related and could therefore result in cervical cancer at some point, the chances of this happening in less than several years are again exceptionally low. Pre-cancerous changes are very easily dealt with.

So, obviously you are not going to stop worrying, because even a very remote possibility of something serious being wrong with you is scary, but from an outsider's point of view, you probably have nothing to worry about.

I hope this puts your mind at rest!!! BellaNoirisAnAuntie might answer your query, too, and since she works in cervical cytology, I'm sure she'd be more than able to help put your mind at rest.

Hullo (tis my Halloween name)
Don't have much to add - thanks rabbitstew, you're spot on.
The colposcopists' society has a website with useful information which might help you get your head round it.
The 6 month repeat gives the body a chance to clear any infections but it does take longer in some people. This is why you're often referred on the second abnormality, it's really a 'check you out' IYSWIM.
About 3 million women have smear tests annually and around 10% of tests each year are abnormal so it's actually quite common!

There is more info available about the colposcopy on the website but its essentially similar to having a smear done but they use a special microscope so they can see the surface of the cervix in detail. Sometimes you are asked if you want to see it on a TV screen - it's entirely up to you if you want too.

HTH and please try not to worry.

Thank you guys for your information. You're right, rabbitstew, I probably wont stop worrying completely, but you've both certainly helped take the edge off it a bit. Thank you so much.

Not much more info I can add to that of Rabbitstew and Bela other than I had a colposcopy about 18 months ago.

Both the consultant and the nurses were really reassuring and supportive and I was encouraged to call afterwards with any concerns I had about the treatment.

Once I got through that first appointment I was certainly less stressed about the treatment.

Hopefully once you are armed with all the facts and meet the consultant you will start to feel better. Please try not to worry too much in the meantime.

Take care xx

just posted on a new thread about my diathermy this morning. Had 3 years of iffy smears,now ive had the loop diathermy and have to wait 6 months to see if thats worked. If not its a cone biopsy... got tummy cramps at the mo from the procedure this am.....goin for a cuppa

Hi there, just popping in to say don't worry. I had several colposcopys until the last one came back all clear and they've put me back to normal smears for now. The nurses who performed it were really nice and reassuring.

It is like a normal smear but lasts a little longer and (at lesat in my case) they put your feet in those stirrup things and the bed tips back a bit so they can get a good look with their big light.

It's not the best experience but for me wasn't as scary as imagined.

HTH

I'm certainly starting to feel a bit better about all of this now, though I'm still quite nervous! Really appreciate everyone who has answered though. Its helped alot. Thank you!

Hi there, I have had a read through these posts as I have just had a smear with results of moderate Dyskaryosis and am booked in for a colposcapy in 3 weeks. My previous smear was over a year ago which was mild Dyskaryosis, whic I have only found out about a few weeks ago by chance as I moved house and forgot to tell my doctor (obviously kicking myself massively now!!). I am really worried about the obvious development of my abnormal cells, and how fast they can spread/develop? I have had twinges in that area for a little while now, but put it down to periods... which thinking about it now have not been at the right time to be period twinges and I'm wonding if this is normal?? I don't have a great immune system and drink far too much wine, which apparently is likely to speed up and deteriation in health. Does any one have any advice? And are twinges normal??

Thanks x