Cervical cancer symptoms?

[TheClientList]

What it says in the Title.

What was your symptoms?

Thanks!

Not me but my DM (recently diagnosed stage 4a) - symptoms were very heavy bleeding (regular periods, but very heavy) over the past 12 months. Recently her kidneys were affected because the mass on her cervix is/was pushing on her bladder and nothing was coming through and she ended up in intensive care and that's how they found the cancer.

Other than that, no real symptoms. She hadn't had a smear in I don't know how long so they didn't find anything sooner.

If you need any more info, let me know x

my initial symptom I (thought) was a small bit and I mean small one time....spot bleeding after sex, but due on my period within the next two days i out it down to that, same happened day after my period, again thought nothing of it, only went to the doctor because DH said "something in his gut" made him feel something was wrong.

after diagnosis and reading up a lot I had more than the bleeding, I was lethargic- but I had recently changed jobs from 10 hour nights to 12 hour days with an hour travelling both sides of the shift, so there was lethargy easily explained in the months before diagnosis,

I had lower back pain - I worked in a nursing home its a heavy going job so again back pain easily explained

I was always picking up coughs colds had a generally weak immune system again worked in a nursing home, it's very easy to get something.

I had a clear smear the year before my diagnosis, however, my tumour was on my cervix but inside my womb, so the opposite side they scrap.

are you concerned for yourself or someone close to you, or is it just a general question to gain some insight, if you are concerned or someone else is book an emergency GP app to get checked out immediately,

I was 27 when I had cancer, between November 2014 and may 2015 i had a biopsy (on Xmas eve) my diagnosis in the January and surgery to ensure my bowel and bladder were ok, in February 15 a hysterectomy left my ovaries, a month of hormone treatment (i have no children of my own) then egg collection, then 6 weeks of chemo and radiotherapy

hope this helps, just remember everyone is different and if you are at all concerned go to the GP as soon as possible, just to be on the safe side,

I'm 22 been suffering with bleeding and back aches and lethargic for a year now between periods it's like a blood streak but then my periods are so heavy that I leak out of everything, they've done every test but a smear test as they keep saying I'm too young it's getting me down and I don't know what else to do anymore I feel like because I'm young I'm not taken seriously! But yea my symptoms all head to this.

What tests have you had OP? There are national guidelines for the investigation of vagunal bleeding in young women.
A smear test is not appropriate because it's a screening test not a diagnostic test. If there is a possibility that you may have cervical cancer then colposcopy referral is more appropriate.

@TheClientList would it be helpful for me to share links to investigation guidelines?

Yes please!
I've had pregnancy tests
STD tests
There was another one that said it detected something odd like a cell that was abnormal so they said not sure what it is and left it as that, I haven't gone back to the doctors I've left it as it's been a year and still nothing so I'm kind of just dealing with it it's more blood streaking in discharge between periods is worrying me the most

Please keep going back until it’s resolved. I had constant (3 per month) periods which were incredibly heavy plus pain and a lot of other stuff. I got fobbed off and fobbed off and literally promised I didn’t have cancer only to be finally diagnosed with an ovarian germ cell tumour at 21. It very nearly killed me - I’m 30 now and still left with its legacy. I wish I had persisted more with the doctor.

Please, please keep going back. Bleeding between periods is not normal - unless you’re on some kind of contraception causing it. Even then, at the very least you should be given an ultrasound (I had this recently because I’m bleeding between periods - was told it was standard and nothing to do with my history).

It could be nothing serious or something easily resolved. Fibroids, endometriosis, a fall in oestrogen but don’t be fobbed off.

So these are the guidelines for the assessment of young women with abnormal vaginal bleeding.
The main investigation by primary care in the guidelines is a speculum examination either in primary care or at a GUM clinic (not a smear test).
The flowchart shows that if the symptoms persist then gynaecology referral should be done.
Referring to these guidelines (print them out) may help - you need to ask for the correct investigations - asking for a smear test is not going to help work out what's going on.
HTH

Thanks!
I've had a speculum test, that's where they found the abnormal cell that they didn't know what it was so got given antibiotics which hasn't worked.
Also had an ultrasound and vaginal ultrasound not endometriosis and no PCOS.
Im not on the contraceptive pill or any contraceptive I have been on it before but became severely ill from it headaches was sick was horrible experience so never went back on them.

Also have had blood tests hormonal levels are normal.

They can't see cells with a speculum test, that needs a microscope (in the lab). It sounds a bit odd that they saw something that they didn't know what it was.
Who did the speculum test and did they get someone else in to have a look? I suggest that you request at least another speculum test to see if 'it' is still there, and a colposcopy referral.
In terms of endometriosis, it can be difficult to diagnose, and iirc hysteroscopy is often needed. Adenomyosis can the be cause of painful and heavy periods but again is difficult to diagnose.

A nurse at the doctors did vaginal swaps and nothing followed up from it

If you're still having the same symptoms (which it sounds like you are) then request a repeat speculum exam with a GP. Explain that the nurse said they saw something unusual at the previous example, you're still having problems and you've since become aware of the guidelines (that I linked to).

Remember that there could be more than one thing causing your symptoms.

A scan can’t see endometriosis: only a laparoscopy can confirm or rule it out.

The “odd cells” are probably cervical erosion: benign and cause bleeding but not a problem. A colposcopy and biopsy that is interpreted in a lab is the only way to identify abnormal cells: although they can use solutions which they spray on the cervix to highlight certain cells.

I would suggest you look at the Endo UK website at the symptom list and also the diary for recording your problems: it takes an average of 7 years to diagnose endo (15 years for me), but it shouldn’t take that long if the proper processes are followed. I’m not saying you have endometriosis but your symptoms sound like mine and 1 in 10 women have it so you are more likely to have that than cervical cancer.

Yes I meant laparoscopy. It might be an ectropian but we have no way of being able to tell that.
@TheClientList we're just people on the internet so we can't tell you what's actually going on.
We can make suggestions and point you in the direction of information sources/guidelines to help you but it's not the same as seeing your GP.
I hope you'll go back to your GP and request further, appropriate investigation.

I appreciate it! Thanks! I'll go back to the doctors!

Hi i have had symptoms and decided to check myself out have an dr appointment Monday very worried i have a picture of my cervix wish i could post it x