Smear test - need a handhold

[Crazy145]

Hi lovely people. I need a handhold really. I’ve got a letter today saying that I need to make an appointment for a smear test.
I had one a year ago . They found borderline changes and HPV. I was referred for colposcopy but everything looked normal there and I was told that I am back on three years recall.
I am worried that I’ve been recalled only a year later. Maybe it’s silly of me to worry about it but I just can’t stop thinking that maybe this time I’ve developed abnormal cells etc
I’ve got no one to discuss that so that’s why posting on here. Please , reassure me. Maybe somebody was in a similar situation.
Many thanks.

Don't worry! I had your exact scenario and had a smear test one year later because of the abnormal result the year before even though everything was fine.

I think it's standard to do that. My smear test a year later was fine and now I'm back on the 3 year cycle again.

Same for me. I’m surprised you were told you were back on three years immediately. It sounds like someone might have been mistaken. I had the same as you and was told I’d have a one year check and if all ok, then back to every three years.

Smear tests used to be every year.
Honestly, I’d be glad they are not waiting 3yrs. A lot can go wrong in 3yrs so waiting that long would worry me more if I had a history of high risk like you. By going in after 1yr you can be sure if anything is going on it will be caught early enough to stop it in its tracks.

Don’t worry too much, it’s part of monitoring & you will find it reassuring in the long run.

Similar to what you are going through, though not quite the same, I have had skin cancer and so every year I get a full body mole check to ensure none of the buggers have turned cancerous. My first check up I was nervous like you. Wondering if cancer had come back. But I was ok. Then a few years later, they spotted a melanoma and I had it removed. That was when I realised that the check up is a good thing...if I did NOT get an annual check it would happen under my nose and not be discovered until years later, maybe too late!

Thank you for your prompt responses. They are really reassuring xx

If be grateful for another sooner than 3 years too.

Chances are all will be fine.

It takes 7 years for the abnormal cells to become cancer. So you've got nothing to worry about after just one.

It's always nerve wracking I know. But you'll be fine. X