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?

@hopefulmummytobe78 it means they are going to CHECK FOR cancer. It doesn’t mean it IS cancer.

Also a referral can be done quickly but getting the referral is a different thing, esp nowadays.
So you are referred quickly to consultant X or Y procedure but it might take months (sometimes years) to get seen, esp if it’s not labelled ‘Urgent’. It’s two different things.

You are adding apples and oranges and coming back with steak here. (Hope you you get what I mean!)

They've referred you as it's protocol.

They can't choose. There are specific reasons to refer such as a harmless nabothian cyst.

Honestly op I work in cytology. Stop worrying it's extremely unlikely to be cancer.

After this go get the jab then you won't have to worry as much!

I'm so sorry about your mum and nan.

You'll be fine.

I highly recommend the vaccine though.
It will give you peace of mind.

When I got divorced I got it under the wire at 44. Felt so relieved!

@hopefulmummytobe78 cancer charities are really, really well funded

This means that often, tests for something that could possibly, possibly be cancer, take place really quickly

In other words, fast treatment doesn't necessarily mean "OMG must be cancer". More a case of "wouldn't it be amazing if all types of health care were well funded?"

OP clearly means awful as in overstretched.

In any case, we are not always obliged to deify the NHS. Many of us who don't have good reason not to.

I think you are catastrophising if that’s a word?

if it makes you feel any better, I’ve never had an Hpv vaccine, I’ve had cervical cysts, I’ve had children, I’m still alive living a normal
life! I’m late 30s. I’ve never had a smear test and never will. I too have a phobia of needles so much so I never had blood taken when pregnant until on the birthing bed 🤷‍♀️

I too ‘worse-case-scenario-ise’ and have been “dying of cervical and breast cancer” at several points in my life (I see now I haven’t)

I agree with others in that you should ideally:

• go to the check. you’re probably fine but if not the nhs are there for you to treat anything that needs treating.
• get the hpv vaccine

really hope you have ppl you can confide in to support you. Stay strong x

@Spookymormonhelldream shame on you

OP is frightened, fearing the worst

A bit of kindness and compassion wouldn't go amiss

I'm 58. I've had 3 urgent colonoscopies after referrals due to rectal issues. Cancer could have been a cause. We have a family history of bowel cancer. My close relatives have died of bowel cancer.I did not have cancer.
I have had 4 urgent referrals to the breast cancer clinic over the years due to pain, lumps, changes. I had harmless cysts everytime. I do not and have never, had breast cancer.
I have had 2 colposcopies after referrals following abnormal cell were detected after a smear. I do not have cervical cancer.
They are checking. Take a breath. You will be fine.

@NeedToChangeName OP has had plenty of compassion as well as good advice but it's not feeding the drama is it?

Do you know how fucking debilitating and soul destroying it is living with health anxiety? Believe me, those of us who suffer with it have no interest in "drama".

Hi, please try not to worry yourself. I’ve had 2 colposcopies. Once for a suspected polyp on my cervix and one for abnormal cells from a smear test. I worked myself up so much both times, and both times everything was fine. The nurses take no chances and even if they found something it means they can treat it asap. The likelihood is it isn’t cancer but I understand your worry because I always think worst case scenario when it’s me (and it always ends up being nothing sinister) Sending hugs x

@Geebray shame on you. OP is scared. A bit of compassion wouldn't go amiss

Im not convinced, from having lived with someone with health anxiety, someone with health anxiety would just randomly ignore a missed referral for ENT?

Op. Stop it. You’ll be fine.

My colposcopy showed abnormal cells. They were not cancerous. They did something entirely minor to kill them. It took minutes. I was 30. I'm 58 now.I have had normal smears ever since.

"Because as I've said above, I waited 6 months for an ENT referral that was never made. Yet this is done instantly."

Ok so I can add to this too - the referrals for breast clinic/smears obviously have a faster turn around and appointments are more readily available - which does not mean cancer. For a start 9/10 breast clinic referrals aren't cancerous, yet people are still referred on the 2 week cancer pathway.

They may do, there's an element of health anxiety that makes some people totally avoidant and some people want every test under the sun.

I have HA and wouldn't be fussed about a missed referral either if I genuinely believed the referral was about something that wasn't either cancer or another potentially fatal illness (I'm in that situation at the moment and don't feel anxious at all about the fact the referral has dropped off the face of the earth). HA isn't a rational beast.

@Notheninkynonk I've only once had the fear of "OMG, this test wasn't what I expected, I fear it could be cancer"

I'm normally pretty sensible and level- headed, but it was absolutely terrifying. I remember it like yesterday

So, for that reason, I do understand OP's concerns

OP may well be totally fine but
I think some of the responses on this thread are awful

I wouldn't wish HA on my worst enemy, especially as those who haven't got it tend to see us as drama llama attention seekers.

It's blighted my life. I hate it.

You are being ridiculous. A nurse cannot diagnose cancer from a smear test. You have probably had the vaccine too. Doctors work by ruling out the worst case scenario and then working backwards. Be grateful that your surgery is so efficient.

Health anxiety or not, there’s no need for the rudeness from the OP and the complete refusal to listen to any of the posters or thanks them for sharing their positive and reassuring experiences. People on this thread are generally trying to help OP but sadly she’s very rude and dismissive. Lots of negative comments about the NHS from her despite them doing and excellent and thorough job checking on her cyst.

@Notheninkynonk I hear you

I was taken aback how much that brief episode affected me

Certainly made me more understanding and compassionate

If you've never felt that way, I don't think you can understand "the fear"

For you, if it's an ongoing issue, I hope you can get support or treatment

I don't think she was being rude, I recognise someone in the absolute throes of panic who probably doesn't realise how she is coming across. Honestly in my worst episodes of HA I've behaved like a raving lunatic.

And I also haven't seen her slag off the NHS, just make references to how busy they are.