Severe cervix cell changes - terrified

[itsalwaysme123]

I have health anxiety anyway (but only when something is actually wrong), and have a history of needing biopsies for various things.

Been HPV positive for several years so on annual smears. In 11 months I’ve gone from no cell changes to severe and have a colposcopy booked.

I’m terrified it’s actually cancer, I can’t stop crying and keep thinking ‘why me?’ I don’t worry about day to day health stuff but things like this absolutely floor me. I won’t be able to sleep or eat, I’ll keep crying randomly and despite promising myself I won’t, I’ll be on Google constantly.

Does anybody have any positive news to share? A handhold? Anything. Thank you

Anyone?

I had CIN3 cells and I am a HCP but even I was in panic mode.
Please call the colscopy unit and explain your anxiety, they will be used to it and may be able to offer you some reassurance ahead of your appointment.

Is the term being severe or high grade? My smear test a few years back came back with high grade changes and I also was terrified it was cancer. I had the colposcopy and it was later graded as CIN1. I then received a letter telling me the care has been reviewed and they'd decided there weren't any changes and that I also didn't have HPV. (Only after I'd had a Lletz though).

It is a scary time so there probably isn't much anyone can say to make you feel less anxious but the smear result is picking up pre-cancerous cells. Are you being seen quickly?

Hi- if it helps I had a ‘severe’ result too and went in for a colposcopy at which they confined this and said they’d remove the suspect area there. I didn’t feel a thing and walked out fine after. They were really kind, sympathetic and understanding and I received a letter a few weeks later saying that the bit they’d taken out had clear margins so they got it all. Tested again the following year and all was well and now back on 3 year checks, no HPV. Some people might need a couple goes to get it all but having discussed with friends many of them had also had the same procedure and just never mentioned it so more common than you might think!

Thank you ladies.

Yes they seem to use 3 terms interchangeably - severe, high grade and CIN3.

I have text a few friends and I actually know of 3 people who have gone through the LLETZ procedure which is what I’ll be having if they colposcopy shows what the smear does.

Thankfully I’m being seen in less than 2 weeks but the wait will still feel like forever. Annoyingly I’m due on so I will try and delay my period with drugs.

P.S I’m pleased you’re all ok!

I had CIN3 in my 20s as did 3 of my friends.

We all had colposcopy treatments.

We all went on to have children.

We’re all now early 50s, alive and well, no cervical cancer.

It really is very common. Getting the colposcopy isn’t much fun but you’re doing the right thing.

Best of luck with the procedure. Be gentle with yourself for a few days afterward.

I have cin 3 currently on my 6 month smear after having a letz with biopsy cin1 so I'm very confused 😭and upset can't function convinced I have cancer

This was me high heade servere but biopsy ect cin 1 ,2 don't u worry why the smear was worse than the biopsy and that they missed something?