Hysterectomy after Cervical cancer

[MamaBerg]

Has anyone been in this situation? Looking for experiences of what others have done as there's only so much doctors will actually tell you.

Back story:
I'm 36, have 2 kids ages 6 and 3. Family complete. Attended regular smears since age 25 as invited.
Smear end 2020 was HPV+ but no sign of abnormal cells so put on 12 month recall.
Smear end 2021 HPV+ and "moderate" abnormal cells
Colposcopy Feb 2022 resulting in LLETZ to remove said cells (8 week wait on labs)
Repeat colposcopy and LLETZ April 2022 where I was told Feb's one found actual cancer and they needed to take more to ensure clear margin of healthy cells. (8 week wait for labs!)
Consultant appointment June 2022 to discuss further treatment options...
He said it almost 100% certainty that all the original malignant cells are gone from both the LLETZs but there's about 10% chance the cancer will come back. I'm to have a review colposcopy in October (6 months after last one), then annual smears for at least 10 years.

So as an alternative I've been offered a hysterectomy. Uterus, cervix and falopian tubes out. Laparascopic. 1 night in hospital, 6-8 weeks off work.

So really I want to know about others in this situation. Did you go for the monitoring of hysterectomy? and Why? If you had the op, what side effects (early menopause?) have you experienced? Anything else I should be considering?

Thanks!

You cannot predict how likely it is that cancer will come back.
it’s so typical of a male gynaecologist to offer a full hysterectomy when you don’t actually have cancer.
I was diagnosed with stage 4b cervical cancer a year ago, I had radiotherapy (all external) and chemo, I have been cancer free for 9 months now, which is pretty miraculous.
The practice of offering hysterectomy when there’s no cancer is ridiculous and misogynist in a field dominated by male Consultant’s, especially when CC can return ANYWHERE in the body.
If third and fourth stage CC can be cured by radiotherapy, why is the treatment for earlier stage cancer (and even just the risk of it) full hysterectomy? Answer: men in charge.
Please don’t worry about 10%. I had 83% chance of my treatment working and here I am.
I wish you well and hope you can move forward without this worrying you. Live your life. Enjoy your family. Xxxxxxxxxxxx

The OP has said the cancer was found on her cervix.

Although it may recur anywhere, I think you need to weigh up the risk of local recurrence versus distant recurrence, your consultant should tell you that. I have had a total hysterectomy for endometrial cancer but was heading towards menopause anyway. I'm not familiar with the detail of cervical cancer, it may be that they take your womb leave your ovaries, I don't know whether that would be a possibility. One of the reasons they offer surgery is the radiotherapy on your pelvis is pretty harsh with various side effects, and also once you've had it once if there's a local recurrence you can't have it again because of the impact of it as far as I understand, although it may be that they'd do brachytherapy (internal radiation) as a first line.

Although you would be thrown into menopause if they take your ovaries I assume that cervical cancer isn't hormone driven, so you may be encouraged to take HRT afterwards, you would certainly need to think about protecting your bones.

Is there a Facebook group for women with cervical cancer, I've found Facebook groups really helpful in terms of making a decision. I know there is a hysterectomy UK group as well so it's possibly a question you could ask there. Good luck