Be brutally honest, it's cancer isn't it?

[hopefulmummytobe78]

I had my first smear test today, I'm 24.

I bled during it and the nurse saw a yellow spot on my cervix. She said it's a normal cyst, called a nabothian cyst, but she also referred me for a colposcopy.

She said it was just to be safe, but why would an overstretched NHS do that? She's definitely seen something awful, hasn't she? She said I would be seen very quickly too.

Why would she do that if it wasn't sinister? It's cancer, isn't it?

I had a smear. I was 19. I had abnormal cell. I had a colposcopy. I had CIN3 and a LLETZ procedure. I had yearly smears for 10 years. Then 3 yearly. I'm 45 now. I haven had another abnormal result. I had 2 children who I carried to full term with a little help from progesterone. Honestly, I know it's scary but you are in a great position. They are investigating. It better to be scared and checked out than be in the dark. Try doing some mindfulness to relax and stop ruminating.

Are you for real?!

Not necessarily no.
I honestly think that if she thought that then the referral would say.

I had this happen to me, I know this is me not you and its your post but same thing and I had other symptoms like pain after intercourse and irregular periods and this was my third year of having yearly smears. I was an absolute state as I imagine you are right now.

I went for a colposcopy and had a biopsy literally didn't take long little uncomfortable for day or 2 later then about 6 weeks I got a letter to say I had CN2 cells and needed a LLETZ it wasn't pleasant but not a big recovery few uncomfortable days. My next smear was I think 6 months later and was fine I'm back to 3 years now.

Easier said than done but please try and not over think it or worry too much

its usually not cancer, i know that doesnt help when theres still a chance that it is but please keep busy and distracted xxx

Nurses don’t assess the state of the NHS finances before decided to refer someone, they follow protocol. Stop telling yourself that she must thinks you have cancer because she referred you despite the NHS being in a state.

I've had this twice after smears - being referred under cancer pathway. First time it was just polyp removal needed and second time it was to double check cyst as I also bled loads after that particular smear test. Both were absolutely fine. I know it is easy to say, but please try not to worry too much.

Ok @hopefulmummytobe78. Breathe. You're catastrophising.

If the nurse could see a cyst she would sensibly refer you to ensure it is as harmless as it looks. That's the thing with cysts: the vast majority of the time they are harmless, but the only way to make sure of that is through further tests.

I've recently gone through a full MOT due to repeated cases of mid-cycle spotting. From calling the GP with my symptoms to getting bloods done was 2 weeks, the ultrasound referral and appointment took less than 4 weeks. Yes, the speed of it felt insane but all my results have come back normal.

It's simply the kind of thing that benefits from speed just on the off chance there is a bigger issue.

The fact that your other referral never happened is almost certainly because something got lost or wasn't saved properly, something which happened to my DP when he got an ENT referral a few years ago. All you need to do is phone them and chase that referral. He did, and it got sorted. It has absolutely no bearing on this referral.

Certainly not! At the worst, it might mean some cells that could one day develop into cancer if not treated. And if you get the treatment, they won't! That's one of the main reasons for having cervical smears! And it may well not even be that.

She didn’t say it was possibly cancer though did she?
Nurses and doctors aren’t allowed to do anything other than say what they think - and she’s done just that. You should be thankful she’s being so thorough OP because it sounds as though you have something normal.

If this were something sinister, you’d likely have other symptoms too, bleeding after sex, pain during sex, bleeding inbetween periods?

I've been referred to colposcopy twice, 10 years apart, as a result of smears. In both cases no treatment was needed. The point of colposcopy is to allow a detailed examination of the cervix, and samples can be taken if necessary. For women who do need treatment, in the vast majority of cases it will be to address cellular changes that could in the future become cancerous (rather than to treat cancer). The smear test is not a test for cancer, it's to detect changes/HPV infection that increase the risk of cancer developing in the future. Speak to your GP or practice nurse if you need medical advice.

‘the only people I know who have had gynae issues are my mum and nan who have both died of cancer. I'm terrified.’

I’m so sorry for your losses, OP. I think that your mind has naturally and understandably gone straight to worst case scenario because of your experiences.

I was the same for years after losing my parents to cancer. It’s taken me years to understand that there are many possible diagnoses before you get to cancer. And so many cancers are treatable now. The smear is to detect cell changes early. I was recently referred to dermatology under the 2 weeks cancer rule. Turned out it was a benign spot but my GP wanted it biopsied to he certain.

She’s covering her back.
It’s very unlikely you have cancer.
I’m a GP and I’ve referred maybe 50 patients to gynae due to something visible on their cervix or bleeding during a smear. None of them have had cancer.

Some services in some areas are on their knees. Some services are stretched. Some are fine and working absolutely brilliantly.

Smear is a routine screening specially designed to catch things (not necessarily cancer, if anything it is as much about monitoring HPV to make sure it doesn’t become cancerous which it usually doesn’t) early.

If you’re worried about resources being stretched, catching cancer early will save the NHS a lot of money.

It’s understandable to be panicking about the mere mention of cancer, especially if you are young and this if the first time you are questioning your mortality. It’s very unlikely that it’s cancer. The nurse specifically said she didn’t think it was but isn’t it great that in an overstretched system the majority of people are still going out of their way to do a thorough job!

My friend was referred for similar, very quick referral and when she got there they didnt even have to do the colposcopy, it was a very quick look, out in minutes.

You need to learn to manage your anxiety. As a woman there’s every chance you’ll have several scares like this over the years. Panicking like this will do you no favours.

Same here. GP in the morning, breast clinic either that afternoon or the next day. Three ultrasounds, three needle aspirations, three cysts.

It just so happens that the breast clinic in our area is very efficient. Other clinics not so much.

the only people I know who have had gynae issues are my mum and nan who have both died of cancer. I'm terrified
what type of cancer?

but op really, you have been referred because of a cyst.

you didnt have the hpv vaccine at school as a teen, or since as an adult because you dont like needles.

you need to be dealing with the anxiety issues you have.

She's just being careful and following guidelines. It is highly unlikely to be cancer.

I get you are young but a woman's life will occasionally throw up things like 'just check out this breast lump to be sure', etc.

I was referred 'as a caution' for colposcopy. It was nothing.

You say….. first ever smear test and I get told I've possibly got cancer. What's the point

BUT the referral didnt say cancer

Iv had 8 , EIGHT referrals that all said Suspected CANCER of….

I havent had it any of those times but had extra tests within a week to two weeks on a 2 week cancer pathway

Some drs / Nurses will refer to be safe
Some wont. Its an individual choice of that health professional
Everyone is different
and it doesnt make any difference of how busy the NHS is, they wont not refer someone because the NHS is on its knees…
Some are just extra vigilant which is a good thing !

You are VERY young to have this type of cancer and it is very unlikely

No. Colonoscopy's aren't used to just look for cancer, it could be something else, something far less sinister but a colonoscopy is to look at the area and see what.

OP I doubt you will take any notice of this but a referral does not mean you have cancer. In fact, an abnormal smear does not mean cancer, it means the cells look funny! There are several levels of abnormal smear before you get to cancer.

If the nurse did not refer you with the cyst and it was more than just a cyst, she would be negligent.

The NHS is rubbish in many ways but it's pretty good when it comes to cancer prevention.

I bleed with every smear by the way, but my results have only ever been normal.

My daughter in her twenties has had to have a colposcopy twice and she doesn’t have cancer.

You are worrying yourself unnecessarily.

As for the referrals, i am awaiting a cardiology referral and the wait is 60 weeks ! over a year ! But my referral for a pelvic ultrasound due to unexplained bleeding only has a 3 weeks wait.

The clinician you saw is not wasting resources, she is following protocol and you are getting the best care the British NHS can offer.

And even if it were cancer, it can be treated and you'll get on with your life. Cervical cancer is easy to treat in the early stages.

OP, as someone who has cancer, albeit breast cancer, I say this with great kindness - get off the internet, stay away from google, and until you are told by an actual doctor you have cancer, the odds are in your favour that you do not.

They NHS are being conscientious and thorough. And if there is something untoward, that's great - it's best to catch things, particularly cancer/pre-cancer as early as possible so it can be treated.

Sending you lots of good wishes.

Do you know what- I understand you’re really anxious but you are starting to sound really ungrateful, saying how awful the NHS is and everything. They appear from what you’ve said to be doing exactly what they should be doing- how marvellous is the care you are getting. I truly hope you are seen soon and all is well.