Potential cancer? Can anyone advise?

[Allornothing9]

My mum has been bleeding heavily for a couple of months, she’s been through menopause. It’s accompanied by back pain. She went to the GP who sent her for an ultrasound and the results were apparently abnormal and she’s been referred on for a hysteroscopy. She’s terrified, she’s 65 and lost her sister and brother to cancer. We’re all terrified too.

I’m going with her to the appointment. She’s on her own so no other support. Can anyone advise or just handhold? It’s been booked for 2 weeks time, is that a good sign it’s nothing overly untoward, would it have been booked sooner?

Sorry, head is scrambled. I imagine it could be a multitude of things but the letter she received said ‘urgent - suspected cancer’. Thank you.

Sending a handhold to you. The waiting will be absolutely horrible and all I can say is that anything that needs to be investigated urgently, the clinicians have to put ‘suspected cancer’ just to get her seen within the 2 week pathway, but yes bleeding can be any number of things.

Is your mum having her hysteroscopy under a local or general anaesthetic? I have been through this recently.

I tried having it under a local but I found it too painful so then had a general which is what I would always advise other ladies to do.

@Snowdropsarelovely I believe she’s been offered local. I have been googling the procedure (and hope she hasn’t!) as it seems like it’s incredibly painful. I hate having to see her go through this. It’s my understanding that general requires a longer wait time, so she wants to attempt it first. Thankfully I’ll be able to be there to hold her hand.

Some people can tolerate it absolutely fine. I was very determined that I would have it under a local because I wanted to get it over and done with, but it was just too painful for me. I only had to wait about 10 days for my general anaesthetic, so hopefully that will be an option if it's too painful for your mum. Maybe just get an assurance before it starts that if she finds it too difficult, they will instantly stop.

I've been reluctant to respond to your post because my answer may be misinterpreted.

I've had cancer three times, and because of that, I've also had many more referrals for tests that have proved negative.

So, based on this experience, my way of getting through the endless weeks (seems like) between "concern" and "diagnosis" was to remember that it either was or it wasn't cancer and no amount of worrying about the diagnosis from me , or you, would/will change that.

Not a lot of help, I know, but try not to let the "might be" get in the way of what at the moment, is. Hand hold, of course.

Thank you @user1471453601, and I’m sorry about your multiple diagnoses. When she was referred for the ultrasound I was so in that camp, I think the secondary referral and seeing how worried my mum is has made me spiral and lose my way a bit. The logical part of my brain knows you are right and they are wise words.

I had a hysteroscopy due to post menopausal bleeding, week ago with just ibuprofen taken before. I had worried that it would be very painful.
It was like a bad period pain due to the saline solution they pump into you. Otherwise I didn't feel anything else and the cramps wore off after an hour or so.
My endometrium was borderline at 4mm. All was ok and likely bleeding caused by my HRT.
I hope your mum gets good news.